bols of the divine goddesses your true
wives, and here there are no perfect women. Alas, we have none better to
offer you, and it is our hope that when it pleases you to pass hence you
will think kindly of the women of this land, and from on high bless them
with your blessing, because your memory of these who were called your
wives on earth is pleasant.'

The voice paused, then spoke again:

'Women, in your own divine names of Xochi, Xilo, Atla, and Clixto,
and in the name of all the gods, I wed you to Tezcat, the creator, to
sojourn with him during his stay on earth. The god incarnate takes you
in marriage whom he himself created, that the symbol may be perfect and
the mystery fulfilled. Yet lest your joy should be too full--look now on
that which shall be.'

As the voice spoke these words, many torches sprang into flame at the
far end of the great chamber, revealing a dreadful sight. For there,
stretched upon a stone of sacrifice, was the body of a man, but whether
the man lived or was modelled in wax I do not know to this hour, though
unless he was painted, I think that he must have been fashioned in wax,
since his skin shone white like mine. At the least his limbs and head
were held by five priests, and a sixth stood over him clasping a knife
of obsidian in his two hands. It flashed on high, and as it gleamed the
torches were extinguished. Then came the dull echo of a blow and a sound
of groans, and all was still, till once more the brides broke out into
their marriage song, a strange chant and a wild and sweet, though after
what I had seen and heard it had little power to move me.

They sang on in the darkness ever more loudly, till presently a single
torch was lit at the end of the chamber, then another and another,
though I could not see who lit them, and the room was a flare of light.
Now the altar, the victim, and the priests were all gone, there was no
one left in the place except myself and the four brides. They were tall
and lovely women all of them, clad in white bridal robes starred over
with gems and flowers, and wearing on their brows the emblems of the
four goddesses, but Otomie was the stateliest and most beautiful of the
four, and seemed in truth a goddess. One by one they drew near to me,
smiling and sighing, and kneeling before me kissed my hand, saying:

'I have been chosen to be your wife for a space, Tezcat, happy maid that
I am. May the good gods grant that I become pleasing to your sight, s