"And now, farewell. Whatever the priests may say, Cacama and I know that you came as a friend, and meant us no harm. "Now, Amenche," she said, "come and say goodbye." The girl came forward slowly. She took Roger's hand, and gazed up into his face. She seemed to try to speak, and then Roger felt her sway suddenly, and caught her just as she would have fallen. "Give her to me," the queen said. "It is best so, by far. "Hurry away, Roger. You have done harm enough, without meaning it. "Cuitcatl, take him away, at once." The young noble took Roger's hand, and hurried him away. "What is the matter?" he asked, bewildered. "What did the queen mean--that I had done harm enough?" "Do you mean to say that you have not seen that Amenche loves you?" "I never dreamed of such a thing," Roger exclaimed. "Cacama and the queen, and all of us who have seen her with you, knew it long ago; and had it not been for this unlucky news, today, Cacama would, in a short time, have offered you her hand. There has been a scene tonight between her and her brother; for she declared that she would go with you, and share your dangers, whatever they might be. She has for the last three hours been confined in her chamber, and she was only allowed to come down to say goodbye to you, on her swearing that she would return with the queen to her room." "I am awfully sorry," Roger said. "I never dreamed of such a thing. The princess has always been very kind to me, but I should never have thought of raising my eyes so high. Besides, as I have told you, I am still scarce a man; and with us, one does not think of marriage until he is five or six years older than I am." "No one blames you at all," Cuitcatl said. "The king and queen both told her that they were sure you had not thought of her in that way; though they naturally supposed that, had you remained here, you would have gladly formed such an alliance when it was offered you. However, it is no use talking any more about it. You will have difficulties enough before you, and would have had no chance whatever of getting through them, if encumbered with her. "Cacama told her so, but she scoffed at the idea of danger. Mexican women, when they love, are ready for any sacrifice. Cacama did not press that, but chiefly spoke of the terrible scandal it would be, were she--his sister and the niece of Montezuma--to be brought back with you, a captive." They were now at the gate. Cuitcatl opened it, and locked it again after him. A figure was standing outside. "This is my follower. You may rely upon him to serve you, to the last. "Bathalda, this is my white friend. You will serve him as you would me." The man took Roger's hand, and carried it to his forehead. "My life is yours, my lord," he said. "Is everything ready, Bathalda?" asked Cuitcatl. "Yes, my lord. I have the canoe hidden among the rocks, with the arms and some food. It is but a few hundred yards away." "Let us be off then, at once," Cuitcatl said.