tended, in favor of the Heir-apparent, and the only child of t

norary title of ex-Empress, resided in the Imperial Palace with the Emperor, her son, and took up a conspicuous position. The ex-Emperor

dvancement of Genji's position, gave the latter greate

latter the second sister of the Emperor was chosen, and for the former the

f her mother, who had some reasons for dissatisfaction with Genji, was still wa

secration were arranged with especial splendor. The number of persons who take a share in the procession on this occasion is defined by regulations; yet the selection of this number was most carefull

owed great eagerness to witness the scene, and a great number of stands were

no inclination to go out. Her attendants, however, suggested to her that she ought to go. "It is a great pity," they said, "not to see it; peo

nness, looked almost blooming, from the joy expressed in their countenances-nay, even nuns and aged women, from their retreats, were to be seen amongst them. Numerous carriages were also squeezed closely together, so that the broad thoroughfare of the Ichiji? road was made almost spaceless. When, however, the carriag

o people who ought to be so abruptly forced away." But the attendants of the Lady Aoi, who were slightly under the influence of drink, would not listen to thei

one home without seeing the spectacle, but there was no passage for retiring. Meanw

ance was cast; that of Lady Aoi, however, was the most striking, and as he passed by the attendants saluted him courteou

thought that Lady Aoi was too modest to be the instigator of such a dispute; but her house was one of great and powerful families famous for overweening

hastened to see her; but she, unde

after the installation of the new Saiin, but neither Lady Aoi or the Lady of Rokji? was present, while

All sorts of exorcisms were duly performed, and some spirits came forth and gave their names. But among them was a spirit, apparently a "living one,"[83] which obstinately refused to be transmitted to the third party. It caused her great suffering, and seemed not to be of a casual nature, but a permanent hostile influence. Some imagined this to be the effect of fearful jealousy of some one who was intimately known to Genji and who had most influence

and waking, in which she seemed to fly to some beautiful girl, apparently Lady Aoi, and to engage in bitter contention and struggle with her. She became even terrified at these dreams; but yet they took place very often. "Even in ordinary matters," she thought, "it is too common a practice, to say nothing of the good done by people, but to exaggerate the bad; and so, in such

d upon her mind, and made

it still vexed her, and now more vigorous exorcising was employed. She became much affect

The sound of the spells performed in the next chamber ceased, and Hoke-ki? was read in its place. The lady was lying on her couch, dressed in a pure white garment, with her lo

illness, I think, will soon pass away. Even supposing you quit this present world, there is another where we shall meet,

ly disturbed. I never thought of coming here in such a way; but it seems the spir

wandering

or let it l

w he began to think that such things might really happen, and he felt disturbed. "You speak thus," said Genji, as if he was addressing the spirit, "but you do not tell me who you are. Do, therefore, tell me clearly." At these words, strange to say, the face of the Lady Aoi seemed

ere sent for. They came in all haste, wiping off the perspiration from their faces as they journeyed; and, from the Emperor and Royal princ

she began to move about, she could not understand how it was, but she perceived that her dress was scented with a strange odor.[84] She thought thi

ved. By this time, Lady Aoi's health seemed progressing f

r eyes. Sadaijin also went to Court, as well as his sons, who had some

s suddenly attacked by a spasm, and before the new

t happened late in the evening there was no time to send for the head of the monastery, or any other distinguished priest. Messengers of inquiry came one aft

and now all hope was abandoned. In due course the corpse was taken to the cemetery of Toribeno. Numerous mourners and priests of different churches crowded to the spot

virtuous Lady Aoi

levated to the title of Sammi, constantly bore him company, and conversed with him both on serious and amusing subjects. Their struggle in the

and T?-no-Chi?ji? came to see him, walking slowly in his mourning robes of a dull color. Genji was leaning ou

ecome rain

ow unk

ad, as usual, some pathetic conversation, a

e cloud in

escends the

le soul

ease to trace i

n responded

shrine we v

t love may d

my now to

th tears on w

[85] When T?-no-Chi?ji? had gone, Genji picked this flower, and sent it t

here all bes

one this lo

utumn's ch

oy's depart

been a spectator, with her father, on the day of the consecration of the Saiin, and was one of those to whom the appearance of Genji was m

autumn ha

hought, but

mournful a

h grief and ch

oncerned, they now and then exchanged letters, so she did not object to receiving this communication. S

reeable manner; and Genji at length left the grand mansion with the intention of first going to the ex-Emperor, and then of returning to his mansion at Niji?. After his departure, Sadaijin went into t

tising penmanship for amusement-some in Chinese, others in Japanese; some in free style, others in stiff. Among the

he soul dep

linger round

art tells

am to leav

mpanying the words, "The white frost

more of ni

e bed witho

s left its we

place the d

thered flower, which seems to have marked some

tionate conversation with him, remained till evening, and then proceeded to his mansion at Niji?. He went to th

. Violet turned her glance a little aside. She wa

said, "I have many things to say to you, but now I must

sent a letter to Sadaijin's, mak

anhood. He would sometimes talk with her differently from the manner in which he would speak to a mere girl; but on her part she seemed not to noti

ot know what was the reason, were anxious about her, thinking she was indisposed. About noon Genji came. He entered the little room, say

may think it strange," said he, and stayed with her a long time tryi

mochi (pounded rice cake) was presented to him,

vening. Do send in some to-morrow.[88] It need not be of so many colors." So saying, he smiled a little, and shar

time to inform her father about his daughter; but he considered he had better have the

averse to this liking, and he told his eldest daughter, the reigning Emperor's mother, that Genji was recently bereaved of his good consort, and that he should not feel discontented if his daugh

TNO

d virgin of th

is situated in the neighborho

oo, and here it signifies a c

d the act is performed by a certain sect of priests; but the living one is considered far more difficult to exorcise than the other, because it is imagined that the dead spirit can be easily "laid," or driven back to the tomb, while the living one, being still in its present state, cannot be settled so easily. The method of exorcism is as follows: Certain spells are used on the sufferer, and certain religious addresses are read from the Buddhist bibles, and then the sufferer is made to speak out all his subjects of complaint; but it is supposed not to be the man himself who speaks and tells these causes of complaint, but the spirit of which he is possessed. This process is sometimes performed on a third party; in that case the priest temporarily transmits the spirit from the sufferer to

h the Lady of Rokji? perceived in her garment because her spirit was supposed to go to

pink; some tran

compared to the child, a

d a "hen" or half-character, opening a book and seeing which of the

at on the third night of a wedding, the same kind