“Some people might think otherwise, Maya. They might say that happiness must be sought for in ourselves. At least I could be happy in such a land as this.”
“You think so now,” she answered, meaningly, “but when you have been awhile in the city yonder, you will think otherwise. Oh!” she went on, passionately, “if, indeed, you care for me, we should never have crossed that mountain behind us. But you do not care for me—not truly; for all this time you have been half ashamed of your affection for an Indian girl whom you were obliged to become fond of, because she was pretty and you were so much with her, and she chanced to save your life. Yes, you would have been ashamed to marry me according to your customs, and to show me as your wife among the white people—me, the wandering Indian with a mad father whom you found in the hands of thieves. Here it will be different, for here at least I am a great lady, and you will see the people in the streets bow themselves to the ground before me; and if I say that a man shall die, you will see that man killed. Also here I have wealth more than any white woman, and you will be fond of me for that——”
“You are very unjust,” he broke in, angrily; “it is shameful that you should speak to me thus for no cause.”
“Perhaps I am unjust,” she answered with a sob, “but there are so many troubles before us. First there is Tikal——”
“What does Tikal want?” asked the señor.
“He wants to marry me, or to become cacique of the city in my right, which is the same thing; at least he will not give me up without a struggle. Then there is my father, who serves two masters only,—his gods and his country,—and who will use me like a piece in a game if it suits his purpose—yes, and you too. Our good days are done with, the evil ones have to come, and after them—the night. Henceforward we shall find few opportunities of speaking, even, for I shall be surrounded by officers and waiting-ladies who will watch my every action and hear my every word, and my father will watch me also.”
“Now I begin to be sorry that I did not take your advice and stop on the further side of the mountain,” answered the señor. “Do you think that we could escape there?”
“No, it is too late—they would track us down; we must go on now and meet our fate, whatever it may be. Only swear to me by my gods, or your own, or whatever you hold dear, that you will cleave to me till I am dead, as I will cleave to you.” And, taking his hand in hers, she looked up appealingly into his face.
At this moment Zibalbay, who was walking in front, lost in his own thoughts, chanced to turn and see them.
“Come hither, daughter, and you, White Man,” he said, in a stern voice. “Listen, both of you—I am old, but my sight and hearing are still keen, though yonder in the wilderness I took no heed of much that I saw and heard. Here in my own land it is otherwise. Learn, White Man, that the Lady of the Heart is set far above you, and there I think she will remain. Do you understand my meaning?”