yourself when I would have hung him for a traitor, and certainly he was
one of those whom the spy saw go out with it upon the lake. Our friend
was with them also, but he came back no more; doubtless they murdered
him. What is this man to you that you should plead for him? Cease to
trouble me, Marina, am I not troubled enough already?' and Cortes put
his hands to his face and remained lost in thought. As for Marina, she
looked at me sadly and sighed as though to say, 'I have done my best,'
and I thanked her with my eyes.

Presently there was a sound of footsteps and I looked up to see de
Garcia standing before me. Time and hardship had touched him lightly,
and the lines of silver in his curling hair and peaked beard did but add
dignity to his noble presence. Indeed, when I looked at him in his dark
Spanish beauty, his rich garments decked with chains of gold, as he
bowed before Cortes hat in hand, I was fain to confess that I had never
seen a more gallant cavalier, or one whose aspect gave the lie so wholly
to the black heart within. But knowing him for what he was, my very
blood quivered with hate at the sight of him, and when I thought of my
own impotence and of the errand on which he had come, I ground my teeth
and cursed the day that I was born. As for de Garcia, he greeted me with
a little cruel smile, then spoke to Cortes.

'Your pleasure, general?'

'Greeting to you, comrade,' answered Cortes. 'You know this renegade?'

'But too well, general. Three times he has striven to murder me.'

'Well, you have escaped and it is your hour now, Sarceda. He says that
he has a quarrel with you; what is it?'