n their darkest light; but
you will grow more hopeful again, when you are once established in
Cuitcatl's home. Arrange with him for Bathalda to act as messenger
between us. He is faithful and brave, and will manage to reach me,
whatever comes of it."

A few minutes later they were beyond the gardens. The four litters
stood ready. The queen and princess and the two ladies took their
seats in them, and the three bundles of valuables were also placed
inside.

"I shall love you--I shall love you until death," Amenche sobbed
out, and then the procession moved away, leaving Roger standing by
himself.

Skirting the outside wall of the garden, he made his way to the
shore of the lake. He found the boatmen asleep in their canoe. As
soon as he aroused them, they seized their paddles and, on his
taking his seat, pushed off.

"There is no occasion for speed," he said. "It is but two o'clock
now, and it is of no use our reaching Mexico until daybreak; for
the gates of the palace will be closed, and there will be no
getting in, dressed as I am, until sunrise."

They therefore paddled quietly across the lake, often resting for a
considerable time, and so arranging that they approached the city
at the same time as a number of market boats, from the villages on
the lake.

"Well," Malinche asked with a smile, as he met her in one of the
courts, as he entered, "and where is your lady love?"

"I have not brought her here," he said, rather indignantly. "You
did not suppose that I was going to bring her back to a barrack
room? I am not an officer, to have a suite of apartments to myself.
Besides, if I could have had the whole palace to myself, I should
not have asked her to forsake her sister-in-law, in her distress.
The two have fled together, and when the usurper arrives there
today, he will find that no one knows where they have gone.

"However, I hope he will not trouble himself about them. After
having taken Cacama's place, he could hardly wish to have Cacama's
wife there; and I think he will be very glad when he hears that she
has left.

"Can I see Cacama? I should like to tell him that his wife is in
safety."

"I will take you with me," Malinche said. "I saw him yesterday,
when he was brought before Montezuma. He is a gallant prince, and I
grieve that misfortune has befallen him."

Malinche led the way to the prison room where Cacama was confined.
The sentries at the door passed her and her companion without
hesitati