Still I talked much with Otomie, instructing her in the matters of my faith and many other things, as I had done by Marina, who we now heard was the mistress and interpreter of Cortes, the Spanish leader.  She for her part listened gravely, watching me the while with her tender eyes, but no more, for of all women Otomie was the most modest, as she was the proudest and most beautiful.

So matters went on until the Spaniards had left Cholula on their road to Mexico.  It was then that I chanced one morning to be sitting in the gardens, my lute in hand, and having my attendant nobles and tutors gathered at a respectful distance behind me.  From where I sat I could see the entrance to the court in which the emperor met his council daily, and I noted that when the princes had gone the priests began to come, and after them a number of very lovely girls attended by women of middle age.  Presently Guatemoc the prince, who now smiled but rarely, came up to me smiling, and asked me if I knew what was doing yonder.  I replied that I knew nothing and cared less, but I supposed that Montezuma was gathering a peculiar treasure to send to his masters the Spaniards.

‘Beware how you speak, Teule,’ answered the prince haughtily.  ’Your words may be true, and yet did I not love you, you should rue them even though you hold the spirit of Tezcat.  Alas!’ he added, stamping on the ground, ’alas! that my uncle’s madness should make it possible that such words can be spoken.  Oh! were I emperor of Anahuac, in a single week the head of every Teule in Cholula should deck a pinnacle of yonder temple.’

‘Beware how you speak, prince,’ I answered mocking him, ’for there are those who did they hear, might cause you to rue your words.  Still one day you may be emperor, and then we shall see how you will deal with the Teules, at least others will see though I shall not.  But what is it now?  Does Montezuma choose new wives?’

’He chooses wives, but not for himself.  You know, Teule, that your time grows short.  Montezuma and the priests name those who must be given to you to wife.’

‘Given me to wife!’ I said starting to my feet; ’to me whose bride is death!  What have I to do with love or marriage?  I who in some few short weeks must grace an altar?  Ah!  Guatemoc, you say you love me, and once I saved you.  Did you love me, surely you would save me now as you swore to do.’

’I swore that I would give my life for yours, Teule, if it lay in my power, and that oath I would keep, for all do not set so high a store on life as you, my friend.  But I cannot help you; you are dedicated to the gods, and did I die a hundred times, it would not save you from your fate.  Nothing can save you except the hand of heaven if it wills.  Therefore, Teule, make merry while you may, and die bravely when you must.  Your case is no worse than mine and that of many others, for death awaits us all.  Farewell.’