wished to save her mother from embarrassment she must marry him, even if it were against her will. But it would not be necessary for her to stay long in the home of Sashirō, for whom she had no affection. She was at liberty to come back any time after a week or two. All she need do was to go once to Sashirō's house as his bride. The mother would then have kept her promise even though the daughter would soon forsake the bridegroom. The mother so earnestly, and with tears, begged her to yield, that O-Somé was obliged to give her consent. But it was impossible for so pure and innocent a maiden to do such a perfidious deed. She therefore made up her mind to give up her life for her love. When Hisamatsu heard of her determination he made up his mind to do the same.
At this juncture an unexpected event, which bid fair to revolutionize Hisamatsu's life, took place. It was as follows. Kyūsaku's sister O-Shō, who had been nurse to Hisamatsu had, after many long years' persistent search, succeeded in restoring the Yoshimitsu blade, the loss of which had caused the death of Hisamatsu's father and the ruin of his house. If the sword should be presented to
