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her. Meanwhile Tō no Chūjō heard that Prince Genji was at his mother’s house. ‘Of course my mother will be delighted,’ said he, ‘but I wish he had let us know that he was coming. Only Yūgiri is with her. . . . It is most unfortunate. There will be no one to receive him or see to it that his escort is properly entertained.’ Much agitated, Tō no Chūjō began routing out such of his own sons and of Genji’s particular acquaintance as could be procured at such short notice, and sent them round post-haste to the old lady’s apartments, begging them to make sure that the distinguished guest was not being shamefully neglected.

‘The wine!’ he called after them. ‘Be sure that he is offered wine and a little fruit. I would come with you myself, were I not afraid of giving trouble. . . .’

Just then a note from his mother was handed him. ‘Genji is here,’ she said. ‘Of course I was delighted to see him. But I knew well enough that he had not come merely to chatter with me. It now appears that he counted on finding you here. There is something he wants to discuss with you.’ It was quite clear what had happened. The Princess, thinking that her end was near, had again been beseeching Genji to champion Yūgiri’s cause. ‘He himself,’ thought Tō no Chūjō, ‘is probably tired of seeing the boy moping about day after day with the same love-lorn expression. He no doubt imagines that a word from him, preceded by a little judicious flattery, will suffice to alter all my views. If more is required, there is always the plea that, in her present condition, my mother must at all costs be allowed to have her way. At this moment, I suppose, they are putting their heads together and deciding how to propitiate me . . . under the circumstances it will be very difficult not to give way; and yet I don’t at all see why I should!’ So he havered, feeling very much irritated by the whole affair, and extremely disinclined to obey the