“I know him. He, too, is a lover of Anahuac. More than once he has exposed himself to death for her. Such loves age not, nor do they die, except with the hearts they animate. There was a time—but now—No matter, I will try. ‘Let him who leads choose’: was not that the decree, good ’tzin?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“Must the choice be made to-night?”
“I may delay until to-morrow.”
“To-morrow; what time?”
“Malinche will pass the causeway in the cool of the morning; by noon he will have joined his people in the old palace; the decision must then be made.”
“Can you set me down at the gate before he passes in?”
The ’tzin started. “Of the old palace?” he asked.
“I wish to see the king.”
“For what?”