Doubtless she still lived and was true to me; while I lived should I not keep true at heart to her?
If I must wed these Indian girls, I must wed them, but if once I told Otomie that I loved her, then I broke my troth, and with nothing less would she be satisfied.

As yet, though I was deeply moved and the temptation was great, I had not come to this.
'Be seated, Otomie,' I said, 'and listen to me.

You see this golden token,' and I drew Lily's posy ring from my hand, 'and you see the writing within it.' She bent her head but did not speak, and I saw that there was fear in her eyes.
'I will read you the words, Otomie,' and I translated into the Aztec tongue the quaint couplet: Heart to heart, Though far apart.
Then at last she spoke.

'What does the writing mean ?' she said.

'I can only read in pictures, Teule.' 'It means, Otomie, that in the far land whence I come, there is a woman who loves me, and who is my love.' 'Is she your wife then ?' 'She is not my wife, Otomie, but she is vowed to me in marriage.' 'She is vowed to you in marriage,' she answered bitterly: 'why, then we are equal, for so am I, Teule.