The populace ran alongside, singing bridal songs and shouting good wishes into her ears. Little cakes, nuts, and bouquets were thrown from the chariot as souvenirs, while the blare of trumpets added to the general noise and confusion. All the notables of Tlamco were assembled at Iaqua to welcome the bride. A very timid, frightened little morsel of humanity she was, as Orondo carried her into the house. She had intended to make a great show of resistance when he attempted to remove her veil; but she was so dazed that she lost all presence of mind, and actually helped him. With grave sweet tenderness, Orondo freed her from entanglement, and led her in triumph to the dais prepared for them, where for the next two hours they received congratulations. When divested of their mantles, the bride and groom led the dancing, and with it Ildiko’s spirits rose. It was her privilege to challenge any swain in the company, and he was obliged to follow her through the maze of whirling dancers until he should succeed in capturing the illusive veil she occasionally tossed at him. As soon as the formal change was danced with Orondo, she threw the veil over Alcamayn’s shoulder. He was a splendid dancer, and she knew that he would give her ample opportunity to display her own skill. Round and round they went—he in hot pursuit, she alert to provoke and yet escape him. At last, panting with exertion, she suffered him to touch the gauze, and then the dancers rushed away to get something to drink and to recover their breath. No precaution was taken to prevent over-indulgence in the use of the liquids, because it was considered a crime punishable with death if any one came to harm through excess of this kind. The high-priest, Imos, first proposed and drank the health of the bride and groom. Then came Hanabusa, who did the same for the navy; Setos performed a similar office for the civil authorities; Ben Hu Barabe, for the lost and loved ones; Cezardis, for the stranger within the gates; after which friends of each saluted and offered a libation to their future. Abstemious by nature, Orondo did little more than touch the various liquors with his lips, but Ildiko quenched thirst freely, and soon the heat and excitement began to tell on her. * * * * * Nothing escaped the eagle eye of Alcamayn. Ildiko had sought to appease him by a show of preference in selecting him to dance, but he resented it as a mean attempt on her part to parade his humiliation. Before coming into the ballroom, he had taken a copious drink of hemp and opium, and had purposely selected the wine of maguey (mescal) for his toast. Now this fiery liquid mounted to his infuriated brain, and he was positive that every one in the room was thinking how badly he had been treated, and secretly deriding him for not seeking revenge.—Revenge! That was it! But he had come prepared.