st asleep. The smallness of his stature, and the graceful waving of his short hair, could not but recall to Genji the beautiful tresses of his sister, and bring her image vividly before

care; yet in vain; his thoughts would not obey his wish, and he begged him, therefore, to seek some favorable opportunity for him to see her." Kokimi, though h

t home. "This is the time," said Kokimi to himself, and went to Genji, and persuaded him to come with him. "What can the boy do?" thought G

e them. As it happened to be Kokimi who had come, no fuss was made about his arrival, nor any notice taken of it. He ent

pushed back, and there was nothing besides to obstruct his view. His first glance fell on the fair figure of her of whom he had so fondly dreamt, sitting by a lamp near a central pillar. She wore a dress of dark purple, and a kind of scarf thrown over her shoulders; her figure was slight and delicate, and her face was partly turned aside, as if she did not like to expose it even to her companions. Her hands were prettily shaped and tiny, and she used them with a gentle reserve, half covering them. Another lady,

Genji. "But perhaps she may be a little deficient in quietnes

was somewhat inferior to her friend. He was not, indeed, able to behold the full face of the former; yet, when he shifted his position, and fixed his gaze steadfastly upon her, the profile became distinct. He observed that her eyelids were a little swollen, and the line of the nose was not very delicate. He still admired her, and said to himself, "But perhaps she is more sweet-tempered than the others"; but when he again turned his eyes to the younger one, strange to say the calm and cheerful smile which occasionally beamed in her face touched the heart of Genji; moreo

again disappointed? How ing

may leave shortly. I w

e, and the servants, who were about to retire to their own apartmen

me there; don't be too lat

meditating taking him into her room, without her permission, when she was alone. So he said, h

he better. Please introduce me to

ut

told the boy that he had already seen her, but thought it better not to do so, and continu

er of course, the usual courtesies were paid. The younger lady, however (who was free from all such thoughts), was rather pleased at his appearance. It happened that, when the eyes of the younger were turned in another direction, Genji ventured to touch slightly the shoulder of his favorite, who, startled at the action rose suddenly and left the room, on pretence of seeking something she required, dropping her scarf in her haste, as a cicada casts off its tender wingy

least say the ancients. If I say I love you, you might not believe me; and yet, indeed, it is so. Do think of me! True, we are not yet

; and, therefore, I may not be able to commun

er hand," he rejoined. "If you only send your messag

imi, who had been dozing all the time, started up suddenly when Genji roused him. He then led the latter to the

is th

immediately re

late?" asked the old wo

ornfully; and, stepping up to the threshold, gave Genji a push over it, when

; but the next moment, without waiting for any reply, m

ll since the day before yesterday, and kept myself to my room, but was sent for this evening because my services were required. I cannot stand it." So saying, and without waiting for any reply, she passed on, muttering as she went, "Oh! my pain! my pain!" Genji and the boy now went forth, and they drove back to the mansion in Niji?. Talking over the events of the evening, Genji ironically said to his companion, "Ah! you are a nice boy!" and snapped his fingers with chagrin at the escape of his favorite and her indifference. Kokim

, so he started up and, taking writing materials, began to write, app

cicada cast

adows of

ne whom I

heart is

ned his head on his hand. Kokimi slyly stretching out his hand, picked up the paper from the floor, and hid

turned to his sister, who, on seein

ople might say of us, your officiousness is most unpardonable. Do

raw from his dress the paper he had picked up in Genji's apartment, and offered it to her. The lady hesitated a moment, though somewhat inclined to read it, holding it in her hand for some little time, undecided. At length

k shadows o

ing with d

eyes unkn

t tears of

TNO

names of certain posit