"By St. Anthony! such beauty never existed in my own race,” he declared. He christened her Doña Marina. When Aguilar interpreted the remark of the general to the maiden, a glad glow came over her face. When she had interpreted what the Aztecs had to say, Cortez spoke to her.

"Henceforth you are to be my own, and I will teach you to speak Spanish," he said.

From that moment she was so attached to him that she was constantly at his side in time of danger or tranquillity. She rapidly learned the Spanish language, receiving her instructions at the feet of her liege.

The

Did he forget his marriage vows? Did he forget the wife, in his far-off Cuban home, who patiently waited and watched for him day by day? Yes. Perhaps the truth too well told has robbed the hero of half his glory; but history is arbitrary, and even the novelist cannot mould it at will. critical reader may say that Cortez never loved Catalina, and that his marriage with her was a matter of policy. But Cortez was a libertine, a gay, dashing fellow with flexible morals, and apt to fall in love with every pretty girl he met. He could no more resist the charms of Marina than winter's snow can withstand the April sun. Her artless simplicity was captivating. Uneducated in all the graces and accomplishments of civilization,

and knowing nothing of the laws of society, save what she gleaned from the man she worshipped, she may be held excusable by the world. So rapidly did she acquire Spanish that in a very short time she could converse with him quite freely.

One day, as she was sitting at the feet of her lord as was her custom, he said, "Marina, you have promised to give me a history of your life; do so now." After a few moments' hesitation she began:

"I was born at Painalla, in the province of Coatzacualco, on the southeastern borders of the Mexican empire. My father, a rich and powerful cacique, died when I was very young. My mother married again, and, having a son by her second husband, determined to secure to him my rightful inheritance. She gave it out that I was dead, and secretly gave me into the hands of some travelling traders of Xicallanco. In order to make the deception more complete, she availed herself of the death of a child of one of her slaves to substitute the corpse for her own daughter, and celebrated the funeral with great solemnity. My masters who purchased me were not very cruel, and soon after brought me to this part of the country, where they sold me to the chief of Tobasco, who delivered me

* The story of Doña Marina is given in Prescott's Conquest of Mexico, volume 1, chapter v., pages 292, 293.

"Your mother was cruel," said Cortez at conclusion of her story.

Marina was silent. Her natural affections and gentle disposition would not sanction her mother's censure, much as she deserved it.

"She was very cruel, and I will see to it that you are avenged," resumed Cortez.

"No, no," she answered, seizing his hand. "Would you not have her brought to justice?" "No, she is my mother."

Appreciating the value of Doña Marina's services, Cortez made her his interpreter, then his secretary, and, captivated by her remarkable charms, took her to be his mistress. She always remained loyal to the countrymen of her adoption, and her knowledge of the language and customs of the Mexicans, and frequently of their designs, enabled her often to extricate the Spaniards from the most embarrassing and perilous situations.

Cortez learned from the Indians that he was now on the shores of the great Mexican Empire. He was informed that the country was ruled by the great Montezuma, who dwelt on the mountain plains of the interior, nearly seventy leagues from the coast. The province at which Cortez first touched was governed by one of Montezuma's nobles named Teuhtlile.

"I have visited your country," explained Cor

tez to some embassadors, "to see your Aztec governor."

The invader loaded his visitors with presents and sent them away. Next morning, April 21, he landed with his entire retinue at the place where now stands the city of Vera Cruz. The country was a wide, level plain, save where the sand had drifted into hillocks by the perpetual blowing of the wind. On these sand dunes he mounted his little battery of artillery so as to command the surrounding country. The soldiers were employed in cutting down the small trees and bushes which grew near, to provide a shelter against the weather.

The landing of the Spaniards and their preparations for staying roused all the country round about, and Teuhtlile, the provincial governor, attended by a numerous train, arrived on the second day after their landing. He was taken to Cortez, who conducted him with much ceremony to his tent, where his principal officers were assembled. The Aztec chief was polite and courteous, though formal. Mass was said by Father Olmedo and a collation was served, at which the general entertained his guest with Spanish wines and confections.

"From what country did you come, and what is the object of your visit?" Teuhtlile asked.

"I am the subject of a powerful monarch beyond the seas," Cortez answered. "He rules over a