standing between the curtains of the doorway. At the sight of her the
priests and soldiers fell upon their faces, and Leonard had sufficient
presence of mind to follow their example, dragging Francisco down beside
him.

"What is this tumult?" she asked the guards in their own tongue.

"I tell you what it is, Juanna," said Leonard, rubbing his head upon the
ground and speaking in English. "If you do not come to an understanding
with these scoundrels, you will soon be cut of from all communication
with us, and what is more, we shall be cut off too in another way. Will
you be so good as to issue an order that we are to be admitted when we
like?"

Juanna turned towards the priest and spoke angrily:

"Who has dared to forbid my servants to come before me and worship me?
My will is my own, and I only make it known. It is my will that these
white men and yonder black woman pass in before me at their pleasure."

"Your will is our will, Mother," said the priests humbly.

So they went in, and the curtains were closed behind them.

"I am so thankful to see you," said Juanna. "You don't know how
dreadfully lonely it has been in this great room all night, and I am
afraid of those solemn-eyed priests who stand round the doors. The women
who brought me food last evening crawled about the place on all fours
like dogs; it was horrible!"