Here I sat upon my golden
couch, inhaling the fumes of tobacco, and as it chanced I was alone, for
none dared to enter that room unless I gave them leave. Presently the
chief of my pages announced that one would speak with me, and I bent
my head, signifying that the person should enter, for I was weary of my
thoughts. The page withdrew, and presently a veiled woman stood before
me. I looked at her wondering, and bade her draw her veil and speak. She
obeyed, and I saw that my visitor was the princess Otomie. Now I rose
amazed, for it was not usual that she should visit me thus alone. I
guessed therefore that she had tidings, or was following some custom of
which I was ignorant.
'I pray you be seated,' she said confusedly; 'it is not fitting that you
should stand before me.'
'Why not, princess?' I answered. 'If I had no respect for rank, surely
beauty must claim it.'
'A truce to words,' she replied with a wave of her slim hand. 'I come
here, O Tezcat, according to the ancient custom, because I am charged
with a message to you. Those whom you shall wed are chosen. I am the
bearer of their names.'
'Speak on, princess of the Otomie.'
'They are'--and she named three ladies whom I knew to be among the
loveliest in the land.
'I thought that there were four,' I said with a bitter laugh. 'Am I to
be defrauded of the fourth?'
'There is a fourth,' she answered, and was silent.
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