'No, husband. Two days since I was separated from my sister Tecuichpo
and the other ladies, but I have been well treated and have seen no
Spaniard except the soldiers who led me here, telling me that you were
sick. Alas! I knew not from what cause,' and again she began to weep.

'Still some have seen you and it is reported that you are my wife.'

'It is likely enough,' she answered, 'for it was known throughout the
Aztec hosts, and such secrets cannot be kept. But why have they treated
you thus? Because you fought against them?'

'Are we alone?' I asked.

'The guard is without, but there are none else in the chamber.'

'Then bend down your head and I will tell you,' and I told her all.

When I had done so she sprang up with flashing eyes and her hand pressed
upon her breast, and said:

'Oh! if I loved you before, now I love you more if that is possible, who
could suffer thus horribly and yet be faithful to the fallen and your
oath. Blessed be the day when first I looked upon your face, O my
husband, most true of men. But they who could do this--what of them?
Still it is done with and I will nurse you back to health. Surely it is
done with, or they had not suffered me to come to you?'

'Alas! Otomie, I must tell all--it is NOT done with,' and with faltering
voice I went on with the tale, yes, and since I must, I told her for
what purpose she had been brought here. She listened without a word,
though her lips turned pale.

'Truly,' she said when I had done, 'these Teules far surpass the pabas
of our people, for if the priests torture and sacrifice, it is to
the gods and not for gold and secret hate. Now, husband, what is your
counsel? Surely you have some counsel.'

'I have none that I dare offer, wife,' I groaned.

'You are timid as a girl who will not utter the love she burns to tell,'
Otomie answered with a proud and bitter laugh. 'Well, I will speak it
for you. It is in your mind that we must die to-night.'

'It is,' I said; 'death now, or shame and agony to-morrow and then death
at last, that is our choice. Since God will not protect us, we must
protect ourselves if we can find the means.'

'God! there is no God. At times I have doubted the gods of my people and
turned to yours; now I renounce and reject Him. If there were a God of
mercy such as you cling to, could He suffer that such things be? You are
my god, husband, to you and for you I pray, and you alone. Let us have
done now with pleading to tho