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depriving the Kasuga Deity^[1] of a worshipper, it would not be of much consequence. But there was always the risk that the true facts might one day come to light, and then his own conduct towards those who had accepted her at his hands would appear so discreditable that he would never be able to face them again.

He knew of course that ordinary upper-class people changed over from one clan to another without the slightest compunction; it was, indeed, rather a fashionable thing to do so. . . .

No, it was no use arguing in this way. Such adoptions did not alter the facts of the case. Tamakatsura was not his child, but Tō no Chūjō’s. Sooner or later her father would become aware of this, and that being so it was far better that he should learn the truth from Genji’s own lips. He accordingly wrote to Tō no Chūjō, and without giving any explanation asked him to be sponsor^[2] for the girl at the long deferred ceremony of her Initiation, which was fixed for the second month of the new year.

The old Princess, Tō no Chūjō’s mother, had been very unwell all the winter, and though custom demanded that, if Tō no Chūjō were sponsor, the ceremony should take place in her house, Genji feared that this would be putting her to too much inconvenience. He noticed that Yūgiri, who was constantly with her, looked more and more care-worn every day. This was a bad sign; probably the old lady would not last out many weeks more. But if she died before his intended conversation with Tō no Chūjō had taken place, Tamakatsura would not be able to wear mourning for her, and would thus, through no fault of her

1. ↑ Clan god of the Fujiwaras, the family to which Tō no Chūjō and consequently Tamakatsura belonged.
2. ↑ The sponsor was usually the fater; but also sometimes an uncle, brother in-law or the like. The Initiation, frequently mentioned in the Tale, was a religious ceremony corresponding to out Confirmation.