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ONOTO WATANNA
(Fac-simile of author’s autograph in Japanese.)
THE
WOOING
OF
WISTARIA
I
HENafter a life that had neverlacked variety the Lady Wistariacame to the years of tranquility,she was wont to say,with the philosophy that followsdangerous times: “No one, manor maid, ever really began tolive before the time to which thefirst memory reverts.”
The first recollection of theLady Wistaria goes back to anearlier childhood than that ofmost mortals. This she ascribedto its terrible and awfulimport. She could scarcely domore than move with the uncertaindirection of babyhood, whenher father, always now in her memory asgaunt, lean, haggard, tall, had taken her upona long journey. They had travelled partly bykurumaya, and, towards the end, on foot.That is, her father had walked, carrying heron high in his arms.
When they halted at Yedo they stood amida vast concourse of people, who remainedsilent and respectful