'
She came and lifted me with her strong and tender arms, till I stood
upon a stool beneath the window bars. There she placed the rope about my
throat, then taking her stand by me she fitted the second rope upon her
own. Now we kissed in solemn silence, for there was nothing more to say.
Yet Otomie said something, asking:
'Of whom do you think in this moment, husband? Of me and of my dead
child, or of that lady who lives far across the sea? Nay, I will not
ask. I have been happy in my love, it is enough. Now love and life must
end together, and it is well for me, but for you I grieve. Say, shall I
thrust away the stool?'
'Yes, Otomie, since there is no hope but death. I cannot break my faith
with Guatemoc, nor can I live to see you shamed and tortured.'
'Then kiss me first and for the last time.'
We kissed again and then, as she was in the very act of pushing the
stool from beneath us, the door opened and shut, and a veiled woman
stood before us, bearing a torch in one hand and a bundle in the other.
She looked, and seeing us and our dreadful purpose, ran to us.
'What do you?' she cried, and I knew the voice for that of Marina. 'Are
you then mad, Teule?'
'Who is this who knows you so well, husband, and will not even suffer
that we die in peace?' asked Otomie.
'I am Marina,' answered the veiled woman, 'and I come to save you if I
can.
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