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, so
that you may love me as I worship you.'

Then she who had spoken would draw back again out of earshot, and the
next would take her place.

Last of all came Otomie. She knelt and said the words, then added in a
low voice,

'Having spoken to you as the bride and goddess to the husband and the
god Tezcat, now, O Teule, I speak as the woman to the man. You do not
love me, Teule, therefore, if it is your will, let us be divorced of our
own act who were wed by the command of others, for so I shall be spared
some shame. These are friends to me and will not betray us;' and she
nodded towards her companion brides.

'As you will, Otomie,' I answered briefly.

'I thank you for your kindness, Teule,' she said smiling sadly, and
withdrew making obeisance, looking so stately and so sweet as she went,