when you see me again, whether I be not again beautiful—again as a bride."
The maid did not go. Once more she understood her mistress.
"But—I thing you loave me?"
The girl sobbed.
"Therefore go—that I suffer no more. Go, that I res'—peace—sleep. Long—beautiful sleep! Go, I beg."
She gently took her hands and led her out.
"Farewell, liddle maiden," she said softly, closing the shoji. "Don' weep."
XV
WHEN THE ROBINS NEST AGAIN
She sat quite still, and waited till night fell. Then she lighted the andon, and drew her toilet-glass toward her. She had a sword in her lap as she sat down. It was the one thing of her father's which her relatives had permitted her to keep. It would have been very beautiful to a Japanese, to whom the sword is a soul. A golden dragon writhed about the superb scabbard. He had eyes of rubies, and held in his mouth a sphere
