Montezuma's duplicity--Shuts himself up in despair--Divided counsels--Mistaken policy--Triumphant advance of Cortez--His ambitious views--His military caution--Montezuma in his family--His youngest daughter--Her loveliness--Her clouded destiny--The royal household--A family scene--A dark superstition versus a cheerful faith--Excursion on the lake--The royal cortege--The Princess--Guatimozin--The dream and its echo--Prophecy--Signal and sudden return--Preparation to receive the Spaniards--Cacama's embassy to Cortez--Exchange of courtesies--Reception of the strangers at Iztapalapan--Lofty bearing of Cuitlahua--The Capital and its environs. CHAPTER V. ARRIVAL OF THE SPANIARDS AT THE CAPITAL--THEIR RECEPTION BY MONTEZUMA--DETERMINED HOSTILITY OF GUATIMOZIN. 81 Singular relative position of the Spaniard and the Aztec--The power and timidity of the one, and the danger and boldness of the other--Speculation--Cortez advancing--The Grand Causeway--The Fort of Xoloc--The Emperor's retinue--Abject deference of his lords--Magnificent palanquin--His personal appearance and costume--The reception--Exchange of presents--Montezuma retires--Cuitlahua escorts the Spaniards to their quarters--Their admiration on seeing the splendor of the city--Curiosity of the people--The omens of that day--Their influence upon Montezuma--Guatimozin's true devotion to his country--His interview with the Princess--True interpretation of the omens--Filial devotion versus patriotism--The pledge--A new omen--The parrot turned prophet--Karee and her prediction--Extreme sensitiveness of the Princess. CHAPTER VI. MUNIFICENCE OF MONTEZUMA--THE ROYAL BANQUET--THE REQUITAL--THE EMPEROR A PRISONER IN HIS OWN PALACE. 97