wed Jaramillo; sending for Gonzalo he orders him to accompany her and arranges the departure at the very time set for elopement, by the lovers. The moment is one of public tumult. Gonzalo keeps his appointment but, at the critical moment, Xochitl’s courage fails. Marina appears and Gonzalo abruptly leaves; he is shot in the tumult. Meantime the two women converse; Xochitl narrates the story of her life, her substitution for Marina’s sister, her love for Gonzalo and Cortes’ love for her. They separate in anger. Cortes entering, announces Gonzalo’s death, and mourns him, confessing him to be his natural son. Xochitl, in her agony, tells Cortes of the love there had been between Gonzalo and herself; Marina, appearing at this moment, hands the unhappy girl the weapon with which she kills herself. As she dies, she reveals her complete identity, she is the last survivor of the royal house, the sister of Cuauhtemoc. Cortes overwhelmed by grief for Gonzalo, loss of Xochitl, and weariness of Marina, sends the latter at once to Orizaba, in Bernal’s care. PASSAGES FROM XOCHITL. Bernal and Gonzalo, meeting, discuss the recent conquest of Nueva Galicia by the infamous Nuño de Guzman. Gonzalo. “If to lay waste fields and towns, If to assassinate war captives, If to violate pledged faith, Is to be Christian, I admit That Don Nuño de Guzman Is of Christians, the very type. The Tlaxcallans complain, Who have been our faithful allies, That, like beasts of burden, He has led them over Hard roads, not fighting-- As they were led to expect-- But, bearing on their shoulders Great, heavy burdens; And that those, who, from fatigue, Bernal, could go no further, Were instanter thrown to the dogs, Or left, without assistance, In the forests. Their shoulders Covered with wounds, I have seen; Upon frightful chafed spots, The memory of which appals me, They carried our provisions; Meantime, Don Nuño, tranquil, Sought renown in war, Or enriched himself, By plundering defenseless villages. Imagine, friend Bernal, If he mistreats our allies, What he would do to enemies.” * * * * * Xochitl confers with Bernal as to what she ought to do: Bernal. “But, tell me. Before today Has Cortes told you of his love? Xochitl. Until today, I have not seen him at my feet. His consuming passion, Through his betraying glance I have, for some time, realized. For this reason, Bernal, I avoid Finding myself alone with him. Bernal. You ought to flee. Xochitl. I fear to find myself Alone in the great world. Bernal. But, when the hawk Sees a lonely dove, He seizes it, within his talons; When the volcano bursts forth It destroys in its terrific energy The palm, which grows at its base. When the wave is lashed to fury, The bark sinks in the sea; And, at the blast of adversity, Happiness vanishes. (Pause.)