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"Very well, then, the day after to-morrow I will go to your house."<br />
"I shall be at your service, sir. And now, as it is getting late, I will take<br />
my leave for to-night."<br />
"Good night, then. We shall meet the day after to-morrow." And so the<br />
two parted, and went their several ways to rest.<br />
On the appointed day Genzaburô made his preparations, and went in<br />
disguise, without any retainers, to call upon Sazen, who met him at the<br />
porch <strong>of</strong> his house, and said, "This is a great honour! My lord Genzaburô<br />
is indeed welcome. My house is very mean, but let me invite your lordship<br />
to come into an inner chamber."<br />
"Pray," replied Genzaburô, "don't make any ceremony for me. Don't<br />
put yourself to any trouble on my account."<br />
And so he passed in, and Sazen called to his wife to prepare wine and<br />
condiments; and they began to feast. At last Genzaburô, looking Sazen in<br />
the face, said, "There is a service which I want you to render me—a very<br />
secret service; but as if you were to refuse me, I should be put to shame,<br />
before I tell you what that service is, I must know whether you are willing<br />
to assist me in anything that I may require <strong>of</strong> you."<br />
"Yes; if it is anything that is within my power, I am at your disposal."<br />
"Well, then," said Genzaburô, greatly pleased, and drawing ten riyos<br />
from his bosom, "this is but a small present to make to you on my first<br />
visit, but pray accept it."<br />
"No, indeed! I don't know what your lordship wishes <strong>of</strong> me; but, at<br />
any rate, I cannot receive this money. I really must beg your lordship to<br />
take it back again."<br />
But Genzaburô pressed it upon him by force, and at last he was obliged<br />
to accept the money. Then Genzaburô told him the whole story <strong>of</strong><br />
his loves with O Koyo—how he had first met her and fallen in love with<br />
her at the Adzuma Bridge; how Chokichi had introduced her to him at<br />
the tea-house at Oji, and then when she fell ill, and he wanted to see her<br />
again, instead <strong>of</strong> bringing her to him, had only given him good advice;<br />
and so Genzaburô drew a lamentable picture <strong>of</strong> his state <strong>of</strong> despair.<br />
Sazen listened patiently to his story, and, after reflecting for a while,<br />
replied, "Well, sir, it's not a difficult matter to set right: and yet it will require<br />
some little management. However, if your lordship will do me the<br />
honour <strong>of</strong> coming to see me again the day after to-morrow, I will cast<br />
about me in the meanwhile, and will let you know then the result <strong>of</strong> my<br />
deliberations."<br />
When Genzaburô heard this he felt greatly relieved, and, recommending<br />
Sazen to do his best in the matter, took his leave and returned home.<br />
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