"How long have you been acquainted with Itlza, the daughter of Euzelmozin?" "I met her first, and made her acquaintance, about the time of Hualcoyotl's escape to the mountains." "When did the desire to possess the maiden first enter your heart?" continued the judge. "My heart went out to Itlza the first time I saw her, and I resolved to win her if I could." "Did Itlza encourage you in this?" "She certainly did." "In what manner?" "By teaching me to love her." "When did Itlza become your affianced?" "Only a few days before we were married." "And when were you married?" "Just before our army moved against Azcapozalco." "Was there no understanding between you previous to the time of your betrothal that you were to wed?" "There was not, except in the fact that we were acknowledged lovers, intending, in due time, to become affianced." "About what time did you become acknowledged lovers?" "A short time previous to the tourney at Tlacopan." "The love was mutual?" "I believe it was." "And you said nothing about it to anyone?" "I did not, and do not think she did." "You should have informed the mother and brother of your attachment, if only in justice to them. Just here was your first mistake." Continuing, the judge inquired: "Did you know at the time of your marriage that Itlza had been chosen by Hualcoyotl to be his queen?" "I did." "Were you aware of the consequences of such a step, under the circumstances?" "I was." "And took the step in the face of such knowledge?" questioned the judge in a severe stress of voice. "Even so," answered Cacami, undaunted by the sternness of the judge; "rather than see her whom I love the wife of another, though that other was the king." This answer produced such a commotion and hum of voices that the officer in attendance had to command order. "Thus did you err a second time, and grievously," said the judge, and the court looked grave and foreboding. Cacami was now told to be seated. "Itlza will rise and answer," said the judge, addressing her courteously. When she had risen he continued: "You are the wife of Cacami, the prisoner at the bar?" "I am proud to acknowledge myself the wife of Cacami," was her earnest reply, accompanied by an affectionate glance at the object of her adoration. "Did Cacami persuade you to do so unwise an act as to wed with him under the grave circumstances which existed at the time of your marriage?" "Cacami did not persuade me. My love was pledged to him, and I was the first to say, let us wed, though it be unto death."