WithafiercelyexultantcryTlacopahurledthevitalorgantowardstheaccused，itstrikingthemotheruponanarm，thenglancingfurthertoleaveanuglysmearuponthedaughter’sshouldererefallingamongtheeagermultitude，whofoughtandstruggledtosecureatleastamorselofthehideousthing。
\"Behold！thegodshathmarkedtheirown！\"criedthehighpriest，hisharshtonesfairlyfillingtheHallofSacrifice。\"Theyareguiltyofallcrimeslaidattheirdoor。Theymeritdeath，athousandfold。TheMotherofGodshathspoken！\"
\"Towhombutthou，Tlacopa？\"sternlycriedthecaptainoftheguards，ashestoodfirminspiteoftheominoussoundswhichwererisingfromtherear，aswellasfromeitherside。
\"Shehathspokenuntome，asherworthyrepresentativeonearth。\"
\"Andtherearethosewhosaymuchreligionhathturnedthybrain，goodTlacopa，\"retortedAztotl，holdinghistemperfairlywellundercontrol，yetwithblazingeyesandstiffeningsinews。\"Arethyearsalonetoreceivesuchimportantcommunicationsas——\"