Satoko and her mother stop at the Gesshu Temple to see the Abbess. Satoko slips away and hides from her mother, who later discovers that she has cut off her hair and resolved to become a nun. The Abbess, who suspects that a plot against the Emperor is unfolding, hopes to thwart it by shielding Satoko. Baffled as to what to do, the weak-willed Countess returns to Tokyo for help. But neither the Count nor the Marquis succeed at removing Satoko from the convent. Final events The betrothal is cancelled with a forged medical certificate, backdated a month, declaring Satoko to be mentally ill. In February 1914, Honda gives Kiyoaki money to travel to the convent in an effort to meet Satoko. He turns up at the front door repeatedly but is always rebuffed, and his health declines as he forces himself to trudge through the snow from the inn in Obitoke to the convent and back again as a form of penance. Eventually Honda comes looking for him after receiving a telegram, and is shocked to see how ill he is; concluding that a meeting with Satoko is vital, he goes to the convent alone on February 27, but the Abbess firmly refuses to allow any such meeting, and on the same night Honda and Kiyoaki leave for Tokyo. During the train journey, the deathly sick Kiyoaki tells Honda: "Just now I had a dream. I'll see you again. I know it. Beneath the falls." He has written a note to his mother, asking her to give Honda his dream-diary. Two days after his return, on 2 March 1914, Kiyoaki dies at the age of 20. Characters Major characters Kiyoaki "Kiyo" Matsugae (1895–1914) The Marquis and Marquise Matsugae The former Marquise Matsugae, Kiyo's grandmother Satoko Ayakura (b. 1893) The Count and Countess Ayakura Shigekuni Honda (b. 1895) Mr. and Mrs. Honda Shigeyuki Iinuma Mine, a maid Yamada, the steward Tadeshina, Satoko's maid Baron and Baroness Shinkawa The Abbess of Gesshu, Satoko's great-aunt Prince Haruhisa Toin and his wife (the Toinnomiyas) Prince Harunobu Toin, his third son Prince Kridsada "Kri" Prince Pattanadid "Chao Praong" Minor characters Emperor Meiji Princess Kasuga Dr. Mori Dr. Ozu Mr. Kitazaki, innkeeper Itsui, the friend of Honda who owns the car Mr Mori the driver Fusako, Honda's second cousin Tomi Masuda, Hidé, and Matsukichi Hijikata, involved in the court case "The Monster", the deformed son