"You speak truly, mother; for Euet would--" Itlza's half-formed sentence was here suddenly broken off. She was seized from behind and held firmly for a moment, while a hand was placed over her mouth. When she was released, she turned quickly to learn who her assailant was, and met the laughing face of her brother, who saluted her in a most loving manner and completed her unfinished sentence by saying: "Euet would that you drop so unpleasant a subject--there is only sadness in it." "A bad brother is Euet, to give his sister such a fright!" exclaimed she, pleasantly. The tzin answered her badinage with a closer embrace; and, releasing her, saluted his mother in an affectionate manner, who said: "Euet, my son, you are most welcome after so protracted an absence. Your sister and myself were beginning to wonder at your remaining away so long, and would in a little while have become uneasy about you." "My mother and sister are very good to remember me so kindly, but they should not forget that Euet is no longer a boy. A man's responsibilities are now his, and he has duties to perform which sometimes interfere very much with his plans for gratifying the cravings of his heart. I am not forgetful of the filial obligations which bind me with golden chords of love to my estimable mother and sweet sister; yet there are times, in the press of worldlier things, when even these most precious of all obligations are neglected." "You are right, my son; a mother's love is selfish. I had not considered well--but you are tired and need refreshment. Let us go in." As they moved toward the house the conversation was continued. The mother presently inquired: "How fares the good prince?" "The prince is well, though somewhat dejected at the turn affairs have taken since the old king's death, of which you have already heard," answered the tzin. "Yes, the news of his death has spread quickly. Your allusion to it prompts me to inquire about his successor. Maxtla has ascended the throne, I suppose, and now rules in his father's stead?" inquiringly returned the mother. "Maxtla is king," replied Euet; "and even now may be laying plans for the destruction of the prince." The faces of the mother and daughter quickly took on an expression of anxiety. Hualcoyotl had spent many of his boyhood hours at the home of his friend Euet, which had resulted in his holding a warm place in the heart of each member of the family. Itlza and her mother had not seen him for a number of years, yet in Euetzin was found a link which bound them still to their young friend of other and more auspicious times. "What are we to understand by those ominous words, my son?" inquired the mother in anxious tones. "Good mother, I will explain, but not now. My walk has made me ravenous, and I do not intend that even your anxiety for the prince shall deprive me of my supper," replied he, playfully.