And forthwith they passed under the curtains held aside for them by Maxtla.
On a dais covered with a carpet of plumaje, the monarch sat. Three venerable men stood behind him. At his feet, a little to the right, was the prince Io’, in uniform. A flood of light poured through a window on the northern side of the chamber, and fell full on the group, bringing out with intense clearness the rich habiliments of the monarch, and every feature of his face. The Christians numbered the attendance, and, trained to measure dangers and discover advantages by a glance, smiled at the confidence of the treacherous heathen. Upon the stillness, broken only by their ringing tread, sped the voice of Cortes.
“Alvarado, Lugo, all of ye, watch well whom we have here. On your lives, see that the boy escape not.”
Montezuma kept his seat.
“The gods keep you this pleasant morning,” he said. “I am glad to see you.”
They bowed to him, and Cortes replied,—
“We thank thee, good king. May the Holy Virgin, of our Christian faith, have thee in care. Thus pray we, than whom thou hast no truer servants.”
“If you prefer to sit, I will have seats brought.”
“We thank thee again. In the presence of our master, it is the custom to stand, and he would hold us discourteous if we did otherwise before a sovereign friend as dear to him as thou art, great king.”
The monarch waved his hand.