‘Why do you sorrow thus, Otomie?’ I asked at length.

‘I did not know that you were awake, husband,’ she sobbed in answer, ’or I would have checked my grief.  Husband, I sorrow over all that has befallen us and my people—­also, though these are but little things, because you are brought low and treated as a man of no estate, and of the cold comfort that we find here.’

‘You have cause, wife,’ I answered.  ’Say, what will these Otomies do with us—­kill us, or give us up to the Teules?’

’I do not know; to-morrow we shall learn, but for my part I will not be surrendered living.’

’Nor I, wife.  Death is better than the tender mercies of Cortes and his minister, de Garcia.  Is there any hope?’

’Yes, there is hope, beloved.  Now the Otomie are cast down and they remember that we led the flower of their land to death.  But they are brave and generous at heart, and if I can touch them there, all may yet be well.  Weariness, pain and memory make us weak, who should be full of courage, having escaped so many ills.  Sleep, my husband, and leave me to think.  All shall yet go well, for even misfortune has an end.’

So I slept, and woke in the morning somewhat refreshed and with a happier mind, for who is there that is not bolder when the light shines on him and he is renewed by rest?

When I opened my eyes the sun was already high, but Otomie had risen with the dawn and she had not been idle during those three hours.  For one thing she had contrived to obtain food and fresh raiment more befitting to our rank than the rags in which we were clothed.  Also she had brought together certain men of condition who were friendly and loyal to her in misfortune, and these she sent about the city, letting it be known that she would address the people at mid-day from the steps of the palace, for as Otomie knew well, the heartstrings of a crowd are touched more easily than those of cold and ancient counsellors.

‘Will they come to listen?’ I asked.

‘Have no fear,’ she answered.  ’The desire to look upon us who have survived the siege, and to know the truth of what has happened, will bring them.  Moreover, some will be there seeking vengeance on us.’

Otomie was right, for as the morning drew on towards mid-day, I saw the dwellers in the City of Pines gathering in thousands, till the space between the steps of the palace and the face of the pyramid was black with them.  Now Otomie combed her curling hair and placed flowers in it, and set a gleaming feather cloak about her shoulders, so that it hung down over her white robes, and on her breast that splendid necklace of emeralds which Guatemoc had given to me in the treasure chamber, and which she had preserved safely through all our evil fortune, and a golden girdle about her waist.  In her hand also she took a little sceptre of ebony tipped with gold, that was in the palace, with other ornaments and emblems of rank, and thus