use had been, and where I had met Otomie. Nothing
was left of its glories except some of the ancient cedar trees. On the
eighth day of my stay an Indian stopped me in the street, saying that an
old friend had charged him to say that she wished to see me.

I followed the Indian, wondering who the friend might be, for I had no
friends, and he led me to a fine stone house in a new street. Here I was
seated in a darkened chamber and waited there a while, till suddenly
a sad and sweet voice that seemed familiar to me, addressed me in the
Aztec tongue, saying, 'Welcome, Teule.'

I looked and there before me, dressed in the Spanish fashion, stood
a lady, an Indian, still beautiful, but very feeble and much worn, as
though with sickness and sorrow.

'Do you not know Marina, Teule?' she said again, but before the words
had left her lips I knew her. 'Well, I will say this, that I should
scarcely have known YOU, Teule. Trouble and time have done their work
with both of us.'

I took her hand and kissed it.

'Where then is Cortes?' I asked.

Now a great trembling seized her.

'Cortes is in Spain, pleading his suit. He has wed a new wife there,
Teule. Many years ago he put me away, giving me in marriage to Don
Juan Xaramillo, who took me because of my possessions, for Cortes dealt
liberally with me, his discarded mistress.' And she began to weep.

Then by degrees I learned the story, but I will not write it here, for
it is known to the world. When Marina had served his turn and her wit
was of no more service to him, the conqueror discarded her, leaving her
to wither of a broken heart. She told me all the tale of her anguish
when she learned the truth, and of how she had cried to him that
thenceforth he would never prosper. Nor indeed did he do so.

For two hours or more we talked, and when I had heard her story I told
her mine, and she wept for me, since with all her faults Marina's heart
was ever gentle.

Then we parted never to meet again. Before I went she pressed a gift of
money on me, and I was not ashamed to take it who had none.

This then was the history of Marina, who betrayed her country for her
love's sake, and this the reward of her treason and her love. But I
shall always hold her memory sacred, for she was a good friend to me,
and twice she saved my life, nor would she desert me, even when Otomie
taunted her so cruelly.

CHAPTER XXXIX

THOMAS COMES BACK FROM THE DEAD

Now on the morrow of my visi