Otomie turned and went. I watched the golden curtains close behind her;
then I sank back upon the couch and instantly was lost in sleep, for
I was faint and weak, and so dazed with weariness, that at the time I
scarcely knew what had happened, or the purpose of our talk. Afterwards,
however, it came back to me. I must have slept for many hours, for when
I awoke it was far on into the night. It was night but not dark, for
through the barred window places came the sound of tumult and fighting,
and red rays of light cast by the flames of burning houses. One of these
windows was above my couch, and standing on the bed I seized the sill
with my hands. With much pain, because of the flesh wound in my side, I
drew myself up till I could look through the bars. Then I saw that the
Spaniards, not content with the capture of the teocalli, had made a
night attack and set fire to hundreds of houses in the city. The glare
of the flames was that of a lurid day, and by it I could see the white
men retreating to their quarters, pursued by thousands of Aztecs, who
hung upon their flanks, shooting at them with stones and arrows.

Now I dropped down from the window place and began to think as to what
I should do, for again my mind was wavering. Should I desert Otomie and
escape to the Spaniards if that were possible, taking my chance of death
at the hands of de Garcia? Or should I stay among the Aztecs if they
would give me shelter, and wed Otomie? There was a third choice, indeed,
to stay with them and leave Otomie alone, though it would be difficult
to do this and keep my honour. One thing I understood, if I married
Otomie it must be at her own price, for then I must become an Indian and
give over all hope of returning to England and to my betrothed. Of this,
indeed, there was little chance, still, while my life remained to me,
it might come about if I was free. But once my hands were tied by this
marriage it could never be during Otomie's lifetime, and so far as Lily