'She likes you, Teule, and
that is well for you for many reasons. Hush!'
As he spoke the screen at the far end of the chamber was drawn aside.
Beyond it a man sat upon a broidered cushion, who was inhaling the fumes
of the tobacco weed from a gilded pipe of wood after the Indian fashion.
This man, who was no other than the monarch Montezuma, was of a tall
build and melancholy countenance, having a very pale face for one of
his nation, and thin black hair. He was dressed in a white robe of the
purest cotton, and wore a golden belt and sandals set with pearls, and
on his head a plume of feathers of the royal green. Behind him were a
band of beautiful girls somewhat slightly clothed, some of whom played
on lutes and other instruments of music, and on either side stood four
ancient counsellors, all of them barefooted and clad in the coarsest
garments.
So soon as the screen was drawn all the company in the chamber
prostrated themselves upon their knees, an example that I hastened to
follow, and thus they remained till the emperor made a sign with the
gilded bowl of his pipe, when they rose to their feet again and stood
with folded hands and eyes fixed abjectly upon the floor. Presently
Montezuma made another signal, and three aged men whom I understood to
be ambassadors, advanced and asked some prayer of him. He answered them
with a nod of the head and they retreated from his presence, making
obeisance and stepping backward till they mingled with the crowd.
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