Long rides in the motor-car through the reviving country-side to the splendid gorge of Miyanoshita or to the beaches of Oiso, where Count Saito had his summer villa, long days of play with the children in the hanging garden, the fascinating companionship of the dwarf trees and the black spaniels, and the welcome absence of espionage and innuendo, had soon restored Asako to health again.

“Little Asa Chan,” Count Saito said one day, beckoning his guest to sit down beside him in the sunlight on the terrace, “you will be happy to go back to England?”

“Oh yes,” said the girl.

“It is a fine country, a noble country; and you will be happy to see your husband again?”

Asako blushed and held down her head.

“I don’t think he is still my husband,” she said, “but oh!  I do want to see him so.”

“I think he wants to see you,” said the Count; “My wife has received a letter from Lady Everington which says that he would like you very much to come back to him.”

The Count waited for this joyful news to produce its effect, and then he added,—­

“Asa Chan, you are going to be a great English lady; but you will always remain a Japanese.  In England, you will be a kind of ambassador for Japan.  So you must never forget your father’s country, and you must never say bad things about Japan, even if you have suffered here.  Then the English people will like you; and for that reason, they will like Japan too; and the two counties will stand side by side, as they ought to, like good friends.  The English are a very great people, the greatest of all; but they know very little about us in the East.  They think that because we are yellow people, therefore we are inferior to them.  Perhaps, when they see a Japanese lady as one of their peers’ wives and a leader in society, they will understand that the Japanese also are not so inferior; for the English people have a great respect for peers.  Japan is proud to be England’s younger brother; but the elder brother must not take all the inheritance.  He must be content to share.  For perhaps he will not always be the strong one.  This war will make England weak and it will make Japan strong.  It will make a great change in the world, and in Asia most of all.  Already the people of Asia are saying, Why should these white men rule over us?  They cannot rule themselves; they fight among themselves like drunkards; their time is over and past.  Then, when the white rulers are pushed out of Asia, Japan will become very strong indeed.  It will be said then that England, the elder brother, is become inkyo (retired from active life), and that Japan, the younger brother, is manager of the family.  I think you will live to see these things, Asa Chan.  Certainly your children will see them.”

“I could never like Japan,” Asako said honestly.

The old diplomat shrugged his shoulders.

“Very well, Asa Chan.  Just enjoy life, and be happy That will be the best propaganda.”