I have
still much to pay you back, and look you, I have found a way to do it.
There are more ways of hurting a man than through his own flesh--for
instance, when I wished to be revenged upon your father, I struck him
through her whom he loved. Now I have touched you and you wonder what I
mean. Well, I will tell you. Perhaps you may know an Aztec lady of royal
blood who is named Otomie?'
'Otomie, what of her?' I cried, speaking for the first time, since fear
for her stirred me more than all the torments I had borne.
'A triumph indeed; I have found a way to make you speak at last; why,
then, to-morrow you will be full of words. Only this, Cousin Wingfield;
Otomie, Montezuma's daughter, a very lovely woman by the way, is
your wife according to the Indian customs. Well, I know all the story
and--she is in my power. I will prove it to you, for she shall be
brought here presently and then you can console each other. For listen,
dog, to-morrow she will sit where you are sitting, and before your eyes
she shall be dealt with as you have been dealt with. Ah! then you will
talk fast enough, but perhaps it will be too late.'
And now for the first time I broke down and prayed for mercy even of my
foe.
'Spare her,' I groaned; 'do what you will with me, but spare her! Surely
you must have a heart, even you, for you are human.
Pages:
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410