United States or South Africa ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
After having had his wounds dressed, Roger threw himself down upon the bed that had been prepared for him, and lay tossing for hours. Hitherto he had believed, and had often reproached himself for it, that he had not loved Amenche as she had loved him.
"As I left the royal apartment, one of the female attendants came up and, putting her finger on her lip, signed to me to follow her. I did so, and she led me to the apartment where the Queen and Princess Amenche were awaiting me. "'You have left your friend safe, Cuitcatl? the queen said. 'The princess has told me the part she has taken in the affair.
A comfortable cabin was assigned to him and Amenche, as Cortez had, at Malinche's request, written a letter specially commending them to the care of the officer in command of the ship. The voyage to Spain was a long one and, before the vessel arrived at Cadiz, Roger and Amenche were completely restored to health and strength. Roger's success, indeed, had been beyond his wildest hopes.
The rule in Mexico was that, on the death of anyone, the body was attired in the garments peculiar to his tutelary deity; but Cacama was dressed, simply, in the robe indicating his rank. "You see," Amenche said, when Roger joined them; "we have dressed him in a warrior's robes, not in those of a Lord of Tezcuco; for we have none such here. Nor have we attired him in the garments of our god.
Were it not for that I would leave the city, join Amenche, and leave the Spaniards and Mexicans to fight out their quarrel as they might; but now, whichever won, the result would be fatal to me. If the Mexicans were victorious, I, like all other whites, would be sacrificed to their gods. If the Spaniards won, I should be executed as a traitor.
"Amenche, my darling, do you know me?" Roger said, as he stooped his face close to hers. Her face brightened suddenly, and a look of intense happiness came into her eyes. "O Roger!" she whispered; "I dreamed that they had killed you." "I am safe and well, as you see," he said. "They have hurt you, darling; but you will get better, and we shall be happy together.
"As to you, Princess, as his own sister, and of the royal blood, you could if you liked stay here, as at present; and indeed, were it not that I am sure you would not leave the queen, I should advise you to do so; for you might then act in the interests of Cacama, should you see an opportunity." Amenche shook her head.
Roger now told Cacama of the arrangement that had been made, that Bathalda should act as messenger between himself and Amenche; and said he doubted not that, on the following day, the man would present himself. "Have you any message to send to the queen?" he asked. "Tell her that I am well, and that I am delighted to hear she has left the palace before Cuicuitzca arrives.
Malinche came several times to see them, and a warm affection sprang up between her and Amenche. "What do you mean to do, Roger?" she asked him one day, when she found him alone. "I mean to marry Amenche, at once," he said; "and to go back to Europe, if possible, without delay." "I have managed that for you," Malinche said. "I spoke to Cortez yesterday.
Amenche stole away from Maclutha, for a few minutes' talk with him and Cuitcatl, while they had their meal; and after hearing an outline of the later events of the siege of the palace, and of the fight on the causeway, she had herself insisted that Roger should instantly seek repose. "I shall be occupied with Maclutha, and there is much to see about, in such times as these.
Word Of The Day