Shortly after the departure of this suitor, Yuminosuké returned home in the best of spirits. His wife received him at his entry, with an enquiry as to his lord's health.
"Oh! his lordship is very well indeed, my dear," returned Yuminosuké, beaming with smiles, "and my attendance to-day seemed to give him special delight, so that he even bestowed upon me cups of saké. But I have a piece of good news for you. My news is this: In my lord's presence I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Komazawa Jirōzayémon, a samurai who has come on a mission of importance from the Yamaguchi Clan. He is young, of exceptionally fine appearance, and, better than all, an adept in military arts and well-versed in literature. Our lord seems to hold his character in the highest esteem. While we all three drank together, we talked with the utmost frankness. Our lord, who has very much in mind the marriage of our daughter, inquired of this gentleman if he was a married man. On receiving an answer in the negative, our lord spoke in the highest terms of Miyuki's person and character, and signified his willingness to use his efforts as middleman to bring about the marriage of this
