It is true that there was a great
gulf between us which widened with the years, the gulf of blood and
faith, for I knew well that she could not altogether put away her old
beliefs, and it is true that when I saw her leading the death chant, a
great horror took me and for a while I loathed her. But these things I
might have lived to forgive, for they were part of her blood and nature,
moreover, the last and worst of them was not done by her own will, and
when they were set aside there remained much that I could honour and
love in the memory of this most royal and beautiful woman, who for so
many years was my faithful wife. So I thought in that hour and so I
think to this day. She said that we parted for ever, but I trust and I
believe that this is not so. Surely there is forgiveness for us all, and
a place where those who were near and dear to each other on the earth
may once more renew their fellowship.
At last I rose with a sigh to seek help, and as I rose I felt that there
was something set about my neck. It was the collar of great emeralds
which Guatemoc had given to me, and that I had given to Otomie. She had
set it there while I slept, and with it a lock of her long hair. Both
shall be buried with me.
I laid her in the ancient sepulchre amid the bones of her forefathers
and by the bodies of her children, and two days later I rode to Mexico
in the train of Bernal Diaz.
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