"Have you food, Lord?" he asked while I stared at him. "I need it and
would eat before I speak."
I found meat and native beer and brought them to him, for it was late
and my servants were asleep, waiting till he had filled himself, for by
this time I had learned something of the patience of these people. At
length he spoke, saying:
"Huaracha's watch is good, and to pass it I must journey far into the
mountains and sleep three nights without food amid their snows."
"Whence come you?" I asked.
"From Cuzco, Lord."
"Then what of the lady Quilla? Does she still live? Is she wed to Urco?"
"She lives, or lived fourteen days ago, and she is not wed. But where
she is no man may ever come. You have looked your last upon the lady
Quilla, Lord."
"If she lives and is unwed, why?" I asked, trembling.
"Because she is numbered among the Virgins of the Sun our Father, and
therefore inviolate to man. Were I the Inca, though I love you and know
all, should you attempt to take her, yes, even you, I would kill you if
I could, and with my own sword.
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