She is dazzling to the eye; she lives in the court ladies'
room over there. She goes to the Prince's hall three or
four times a day. It is quite right that you should
punish him — going away with few words!"

All hated the lady, and he was sorry for her. His
Highness suspected what his wife was going to do,
and he found his conjecture realized when the sons of
his brother-in-law came to fetch her. A lady-in-wait-
ing said to the housekeeper: "The princess has taken
important things with her; she is going away." The
housekeeper was in great anxiety and said to the
Prince: "The Princess Is going away. What will the
Crown Prince think of it! Go to comfort her."

It was painful to her [the lady] to see these things

I9S



Diaries of Court Ladies

going on. She was very sorry and pained, yet, as it
was an unfit time to say anything, she kept silence.
She wanted to get away from this disagreeable place,
but thought that also not good. She thought she could
never get rid of her trouble if she stayed. His Highness
went towards the Princess, who met him as if nothing
had happened. "Is it true," he said, "that you are
going to your elder sister? Why have you not asked
me for the palanquin?" She answered: "Something
has happened. There is something which demands
me and they have sent messengers for me." She said
nothing more. The Princess's words, her letters, and
those of her sister were written roughly, from sup-
position.
THE END



APPENDIX



APPENDIX
A

OLD JAPANESE CALENDAR

The year was divided according to a Lunar Calendar, which
was one month or so in advance of the present Solar Calendar.
