'It seems that we came to a wise judgment when we determined to spare
this man's life,' said Cuitlahua, 'for all that he tells us is true, and
I would that we had followed this policy from the first. Now, lords, I
give my voice for acting as our brother points the way. What say you?'

'We say with you that our brother's words are good,' answered Guatemoc
presently, 'and now let us follow them to the end.'

Then, after some further talk, the council broke up and I sought my
chamber well nigh blind with weariness and crushed by the weight of all
that I had suffered on that eventful day. The dawn was flaring in
the eastern sky, and by its glimmer I found my path down the empty
corridors, till at length I came to the curtains of my sleeping place.
I drew them and passed through. There, far up the room, the faint light
gleaming on her snowy dress, her raven hair and ornaments of gold, stood
Otomie my bride.

I went towards her, and as I came she glided to meet me with
outstretched arms. Presently they were about my neck and her kiss was on
my brow.

'Now all is done, my love and lord,' she whispered, 'and come good or
ill, or both, we are one till death, for such vows as ours cannot be
broken.'

'All is done indeed, Otomie, and our oaths are lifelong, though other
oaths have been broken that they might be sworn,' I answered.


Thus then I, Thomas Wingfield, was wed to Otomie, princess of the