For now the fight raged
from day to day, and this was to be one of the most terrible. But I
thought little then of the war between the Aztecs and the Spaniards,
who must prepare myself for the struggle of my own death that was now at
hand.
CHAPTER XXI
THE KISS OF LOVE
Presently there was a sound of music, and, accompanied by certain
artists, my pages entered, bearing with them apparel more gorgeous than
any that I had worn hitherto. First, these pages having stripped me of
my robes, the artists painted all my body in hideous designs of red, and
white, and blue, till I resembled a flag, not even sparing my face and
lips, which they coloured with carmine hues. Over my heart also they
drew a scarlet ring with much care and measurement. Then they did up my
hair that now hung upon my shoulders, after the fashion in which it was
worn by generals among the Indians, tying it on the top of my head
with an embroidered ribbon red in colour, and placed a plume of cock's
feathers above it. Next, having arrayed my body in gorgeous vestments
not unlike those used by popish priests at the celebration of the mass,
they set golden earrings in my ears, golden bracelets on my wrists and
ankles, and round my neck a collar of priceless emeralds. On my breast
also they hung a great gem that gleamed like moonlit water, and beneath
my chin a false beard made from pink sea shells.
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