This declaration from Itlza was received by the spectators with evident admiration for her courage and fidelity; and, had it not been for the great respect in which the court was held, would have been followed by a demonstration of approval. The gravity of the judges, on the other hand, deepened, for in her answer, so earnestly and honestly given, she had convicted herself of voluntary complicity with Cacami in the offense against the king. It was not necessary to question her further, and she was told to be seated. The tzin looked perplexed and troubled, on account of the gravity of the position in which his beloved sister's ingenuous reply had placed her. "Euetzin will rise and answer," said the judge, at which the witness was not a little surprised, as he was not expecting a call at the moment. "When did you learn of the marriage of your sister with the prisoner?" "At the time of Cacami's arrest," he replied. "Had you no previous knowledge or intimation of the sentiments entertained by the young people for each other?" "None whatever. I did not even suspect it, though, since the facts have become known, I can see that I might have done so with reason." "You have been a close and intimate friend of Cacami's, tzin Euet. Will you state to the court what you know of him personally?" The court, like the audience, had been favorably impressed with the bearing and perfect candor of the young people, who were being tried for their lives, and was evidently seeking palliating conditions relevant to their case. The last quest of the judge could have been made with no other intent. It was just the position in which the tzin desired to be placed; for it gave him the ear of the court, and the liberty to address it in behalf of his friend, without the fear of interruption so long as he observed a due regard for its dignity. He began by saying: "The court is very kind in conferring upon me the liberty to address it--a privilege I very much desired, for which I am profoundly thankful." Here the tzin made his obeisance to the court, and continued: