nt 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 deat