THE LOVE OF KOMACHI
55
"Your words are unkind, Lord Arihira! I cannot, as I live, give you up. Do not say such cruel things again!"
"Your devotion touches me to the heart, my dearest. I must confess that my words were only to persuade you to abandon your idea of killing yourself. I promise you that I will keep my vows for ever. But our determination makes it impossible for us to stay here any longer. We must fly to some remote place without delay. Let us go at once!"
"Do you really mean me to go with you. Lord Arihira?"
"Yes. Make haste and come now."
Fortunately no one was near, so the lovelorn couple stole unnoticed from the Palace.
