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