‘Who is that great lady?’ I asked of Guatemoc.

’That is my cousin Otomie, the princess of the Otomie, my uncle Montezuma’s favourite daughter,’ he answered.  ’She likes you, Teule, and that is well for you for many reasons.  Hush!’

As he spoke the screen at the far end of the chamber was drawn aside.  Beyond it a man sat upon a broidered cushion, who was inhaling the fumes of the tobacco weed from a gilded pipe of wood after the Indian fashion.  This man, who was no other than the monarch Montezuma, was of a tall build and melancholy countenance, having a very pale face for one of his nation, and thin black hair.  He was dressed in a white robe of the purest cotton, and wore a golden belt and sandals set with pearls, and on his head a plume of feathers of the royal green.  Behind him were a band of beautiful girls somewhat slightly clothed, some of whom played on lutes and other instruments of music, and on either side stood four ancient counsellors, all of them barefooted and clad in the coarsest garments.

So soon as the screen was drawn all the company in the chamber prostrated themselves upon their knees, an example that I hastened to follow, and thus they remained till the emperor made a sign with the gilded bowl of his pipe, when they rose to their feet again and stood with folded hands and eyes fixed abjectly upon the floor.  Presently Montezuma made another signal, and three aged men whom I understood to be ambassadors, advanced and asked some prayer of him.  He answered them with a nod of the head and they retreated from his presence, making obeisance and stepping backward till they mingled with the crowd.  Then the emperor spoke a word to one of the counsellors, who bowed and came slowly down the hall looking to the right and to the left.  Presently his eye fell upon Guatemoc, and, indeed, he was easy to see, for he stood a head taller than any there.

‘Hail, prince,’ he said.  ’The royal Montezuma desires to speak with you, and with the Teule, your companion.’

‘Do as I do, Teule,’ said Guatemoc, and led the way up the chamber, till we reached the place where the wooden screen had been, which, as we passed it, was drawn behind us, shutting us off from the hall.

Here we stood a while, with folded hands and downcast eyes, till a signal was made to us to advance.

‘Your report, nephew,’ said Montezuma in a low voice of command.

’I went to the city of Tobasco, O glorious Montezuma.  I found the Teule and brought him hither.  Also I caused the high priest to be sacrificed according to the royal command, and now I hand back the imperial signet,’ and he gave the ring to a counsellor.

‘Why did you delay so long upon the road, nephew?’

’Because of the chances of the journey; while saving my life, royal Montezuma, the Teule my prisoner was bitten by a puma.  Its skin is brought to you as an offering.’

Now Montezuma looked at me for the first time, then opened a picture scroll that one of the counsellors handed to him, and read in it, glancing at me from time to time.