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She thought awhile and, leaving this matter, said: "So, having once loved, you can never love again." "Why not? Perchance I can love too much. But what would be the use when more love would but mean more loss and pain?" "Whom should you love, my lord Hurachi, seeing that the women of your own folk are far away?" "I think one who is very near, if she would pay back love for love."
Presently I felt a touch upon my shoulder and let fall my hands, thinking that Kari had found me out, to hear a soft voice, the voice of Quilla, say: "So it seems that the gods can weep. Why do you weep, O God-from-the-Waves who here are named Hurachi?"
Now hearken, my lord Hurachi. You are my honoured guest and save one thing, all I have is yours, but you must talk no more alone with the lady Quilla in gardens at night." Now, making no attempt to deny or explain which I saw would be useless, since he knew it all, I asked boldly: "Why not?"
"As it began, Lord Hurachi. A great many men have been killed on both sides, thousands and thousands of them, and neither army has the victory. They have drawn back and sit growling at each other like two angry lions which are afraid to fight again. Indeed, I do not want them to fight, and now that Urco cannot interfere, I shall put a stop to all this bloodshed if I am able.
Passing through the gates the bearers placed the balsa on the ground and fell back. Then from out of the door of the house appeared Quilla, accompanied by a tall, stately looking man who wore a fine robe, and a woman of middle age also gorgeously apparelled. "Hail, Lord Risen from the Sea!" cried Quismancu. "Hail, White God clothed in silver! Hail, Hurachi!"
"I make my farewell to the lord Hurachi as you command," she answered, curtseying, and in a very quiet voice, "but know, my father, that I love this White Lord as he loves me, and that therefore, although I may be given to the Prince Urco, as a gold cup is given, never shall he drink from the cup and never will I be his wife." "You have courage, Daughter, and I like courage," said Huaracha.
I have also heard, or guessed, it matters not which, that her heart has turned towards you, as is not strange, seeing the manner of man you are, if indeed you be not more than man, and that women are ever prone to love those whom they think they have saved. Is this true, my lord Hurachi?" "Ask of the Lady Quilla, O King." "Mayhap I have asked and at last it seems that you make no denial.
I must consult my magicians about it, and the head priest of the Temple of the Sun. Tell the White God to make ready to return with me to Cuzco." "The lord Hurachi is my guest, O Inca, and here he bides with me," said Huaracha. "Nonsense, nonsense! When the Inca invites any one to his court, he must come. But enough of him for the present. I came here to talk of other matters. What were they?
It was a dreary business, Lord Hurachi, for though those Virgins may be so holy, some of them are very old and hideous and of course Quilla as a novice came last in the line conducted by two Mama-conas who are cousins of my own.
He laughed, and turning to the two soldiers, who also were staring at my mail and sword, bade them go. When the heavy door had shut behind them and we were quite alone, he said: "My lord Hurachi, I have heard from my daughter how she found you in the sea, a story indeed.
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