The Slave Sculptor — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

138 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. I am not blind, Toluca ; I see that which passes around me, and I know that you have deceived me. I have been faithful to you, and you have repaid it — how?” ‘« Have I promised any thing which T have not fulfilled? Away! you are my fither’s slave! Dare to speak to me again upon such a subject, and I will send you a victim to the insatiate gods of the teocallis.* J Meztli sprang back ; her face turned toa deathly pallor ; yet, with a clear voice, she replied : — ‘s Farewell, Toluca, you have enjoyed my love ; # ew shall experi- ence my hate. I have no fears of the teocallis. very moment u take that step, I will’? — and | mp ws Ste re tng is ear. He started like one stricken to the heart, sprang to his feet, and his countenance depicted the keenest anguish and horror. _ Meztli watched these emotions with apparent satisfaction, and there was a wicked smile on her lips as she added : _% Yes, Toluca, you -will curse the day that you were born, if you do not fulfill the promise you made me. I do not love you now / No! I hate the very ground youstand upon ; yet | would have you bound to me —I would feel you in my power — would see you at my feet! Then— then base deceiver, will I spurn you as your deeds deserve. Away! Isay. Away! from me forever!” “Say, Meztli;” gasped Toluca. “Where, where did you ““ Away!’ she interrupted, with a haughty gesture. ‘‘7 am your father’s slave, as you have said,” antl her lip curled with a contemptuous smile, but dare to speak again, and I will whisper those mystic words in the hearing of our emperor. Then who will be most likely to find their way to the teocallts?”’ With a defiant expression, Meztli passed hurriedly away, and left Toluca to meditate at leisure. : The young nobleman paced-to and fro upon the balcony, his arms folded, his gaze downcast, his mind in a frenzied state. Presently he halted abruptly, struck his hand upon his brow} and muttered, ‘*T have it. Cruzilli’s dangeons are strong, and will be a fit place for both sculptor and slave. I will hasten and make the arrangment oar. e apartments for their special benefit. Then we will see who has the most power to accomplish vengeance,— I or the © The Mexican temples —teocallis, “ houses of God," as they were called — were very numerous. There were several hundred in the capital, many of them, doubtless, very humble edifices. They were composed of solid masses of earth, cased with brick, or stone, and in their form somewhat resembled the pyramidal structures of ancient Egypt. The base of many of them were more than a hundred feet square, and they tow2red to a still greater height. The top was a broad area, on which were erectel one or two towers. These frequently reached forty or fifty fect high, and contained the deities, and sa cred images, to whom the sacrifices were made.-- Paxscorrt. conmniclbooks.conn