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desperately to keep in existence. The pretence was no idle one: it was something to which they were irrevocably committed. Today with his naked spear, Lord Tadanao had made a supreme effort to pierce this tissue, but these men had repaired the gaps at once with their blood. And now, between himself and his retainers, the tissue stretched as intact as ever. Beyond it men were living as men, in genuine human relationships with each other. But if any of those men turned for a moment to face himself, they at once dropped down before them this protective tissue of pretence. As Lord Tadanao suddenly realized that on this side of the barrier there was absolutely no one but himself, the terrible sense of loneliness redoubled its strength and invaded every corner of his being.

The alarming intelligence that, since the day of the contests, the master had become increasingly subject to fits of evil temper soon made Lord Tadanao an object of terror to everyone in the castle. When on duty in their master’s presence the page boys hardly dared breathe, their eyes started from their heads, and they would avoid the slightest unnecessary movement. Even the companions of honour took care to stand most particularly upon protocol, never moving a step in advance of, nor taking a step of greater length than, their lord. The feeling of ease which had existed to a considerable degree between master and retainers was completely lost, and the prospect of an audience with the lord filled one and all with gloomy apprehensions. On withdrawing from his presence the retainers would feel physically and mentally exhausted, as never before.

The deterioration in this relationship was not remarked solely by the retainers. One day, when a companion of honour brought him a letter from the family councillors, Lord Tadanao noticed that the man was preparing to crawl to him on his knees from a point some four or five steps away.

“Don’t be afraid to come close,” he said. “There’s no need for all that ceremony.”