hen of the war between the Aztecs and the Spaniards,
who must prepare myself for the struggle of my own death that was now at
hand.

CHAPTER XXI

THE KISS OF LOVE

Presently there was a sound of music, and, accompanied by certain
artists, my pages entered, bearing with them apparel more gorgeous than
any that I had worn hitherto. First, these pages having stripped me of
my robes, the artists painted all my body in hideous designs of red, and
white, and blue, till I resembled a flag, not even sparing my face and
lips, which they coloured with carmine hues. Over my heart also they
drew a scarlet ring with much care and measurement. Then they did up my
hair that now hung upon my shoulders, after the fashion in which it was
worn by generals among the Indians, tying it on the top of my head
with an embroidered ribbon red in colour, and placed a plume of cock's
feathers above it. Next, having arrayed my body in gorgeous vestments
not unlike those used by popish priests at the celebration of the mass,
they set golden earrings in my ears, golden bracelets on my wrists and
ankles, and round my neck a collar of priceless emeralds. On my breast
also they hung a great gem that gleamed like moonlit water, and beneath
my chin a false beard made from pink sea shells. Then having twined me
round with wreaths of flowers till I thought of the maypole on Bungay
Common, they rested from their labours, filled with admiration at their
handiwork.

Now the music sounded again and they gave me two lutes, one of which
I must hold in either hand, and conducted me to the great hall of the
palace. Here a number of people of rank were gathered, all dressed in
festal attire, and here also on a dais to which I was led, stood my four
wives clad in the rich dresses of the four goddesses Xochi, Xilo, Atla,
and Clixto, after whom they were named for the days of their wifehood,
Atla being the princess Otomie. When I had taken my place upon the dais,
my wives came forward one by one, and kissing me on the brow, offered
me sweetmeats and meal cakes in golden platters, and cocoa and mescal
in golden cups. Of the mescal I drank, for it is a spirit and I
needed inward comfort, but the other dainties I could not touch. These
ceremonies being finished, there was silence for a while, till presently
a band of filthy priests entered at the far end of the chamber, clad
in their scarlet sacrificial robes. Blood was on them everywhere, their
long locks were