in a sweet voice; 'so you are
come at last. My royal father has awaited you for long and will ask
questions as to your delay. My sister your wife has wondered also why
you tarried.'

Now as she spoke I felt rather than saw that this lady was searching me
with her eyes.

'Greeting, Otomie my cousin,' answered the prince. 'I have been delayed
by the accidents of travel. Tobasco is far away, also my charge and
companion, Teule,' and he nodded towards me, 'met with an accident on
the road.'

'What was the accident?' she asked.

'Only this, that he saved me from the jaws of a puma at the risk of
his life when all the others fled from me, and was somewhat hurt in the
deed. He saved me thus--' and in few words he told the story.

She listened and I saw that her eyes sparkled at the tale. When it was
done she spoke again, and this time to me.

'Welcome, Teule,' she said smiling. 'You are not of our people, yet my
heart goes out to such a man.' And still smiling she left us.

'Who is that great lady?' I asked of Guatemoc.

'That is my cousin Otomie, the princess of the Otomie, my uncle
Montezuma's favourite daughter,' he answered. 'She likes you, Teule, and
that is well for you for many reasons. Hush!'

As he spoke the screen at the far end of the chamber was drawn aside.
Beyond it a man sat upon a broidered cushion, who was inhaling the fumes
of the tobacco weed from a gilded pipe of wood after the Indian fashion.
This man, who was no other than the monarch Montezuma, was of a tall
build and melancholy countenance, having a very pale face for one of
his nation, and thin black hair. He was dressed in a white robe of the
purest cotton, and wore a golden belt and sandals set with pearls, and
on his head a plume of feathers of the royal green. Behind him were a
band of beautiful girls somewhat slightly clothed, some of whom played
on lutes and other instruments of music, and on either side stood four
ancient counsellors, all of them barefooted and clad in the coarsest
garments.

So soon as the screen was drawn all the company in the chamber
prostrated themselves upon their knees, an example that I hastened to
follow, and thus they remained till the emperor made a sign with the
gilded bowl of his pipe, when they rose to their feet again and stood
with folded hands and eyes fixed abjectly upon the floor. Presently
Montezuma made another signal, and three aged men whom I understood to
be ambassadors, advanced and asked so