The emperor received his guest with courtesy, and expressed his pleasure at seeing him in his capital; while Cortez replied with expressions of profound respect, accompanied by thanks for the superb presents that Montezuma had sent him.

The emperor re-entered his litter, and the Spaniards followed, with music playing and colors flying.
Although already familiar with Mexican architecture, they were astonished by the magnificence of the buildings that bordered the great streets along which they marched.

Here were the mansions of the nobles, built of a red porous stone and covering a large space of ground.

The flat roofs were protected by stone parapets, and many of them were laid out as gardens.

Between these mansions were broad terraces, which presented a mass of flowers.