e. Cuzco, on Lake Titicaca,
became the capital city of a great and flourishing monarchy, and
possessed many splendid buildings in spacious squares and streets. It
also became the Holy City and great temple of the Sun, to which pilgrims
came from all parts of the country. It was defended by a fortress and
walls built of stone, some blocks of which were above thirty feet long
by eighteen broad and six thick. Many towns sprang up in the land.
Under good government the people flourished and became rich. They had
plenty of gold and silver, which they used extensively in the adornment
of their temples and palaces. But evil followed in the train of wealth.
By degrees their simplicity departed from them. Their prosperity led
to the desire for conquest. Then two sons of one of the Incas disputed
with each other for supremacy, and fought. One was conquered and taken
prisoner by the other, who is reported to have been guilty of excessive
cruelties to his relations, and caused his brother to be put to death.
Finally, in 1532, the Spaniards came and accomplished the conquest of
Peru--from which date not much of peace or prosperity has fallen to the
lot of this unhappy land.

"Yes," said the guide in conclusion, "the Incas were, and some of their
descendants still are, a very fine race. Many of the men are what I
call nature's gentlemen, having thoughts--ay, and manners too, that
would grace any society. Some of their women, also, are worthy to--"

"Pedro!" interrupted Lawrence eagerly, laying his hand on the guide's
arm, for a sudden idea had flashed into his mind. (He was rather
subject to the flashing of sudden ideas!) "Pedro! _she_ is a daughter of
a chief of the Incas--is she not? a princess of the Incas! Have I not
guessed rightly?"

He said this in a half whisper, and pointed as he spoke to the screen
behind which Manuela lay.

Pedro smiled slightly and tipped the ash from the end of his cigarette,
but made no answer.

"Nay, I will not pry into other people's affairs," said Lawrence, in his
usual tone, "but you once told me she is the daughter of a chief, and
assuredly no lady in this land could equal her in grace or dignity of
carriage and manner, to say nothing of modesty, which is the invariable
evidence."

"Not of high rank?" interrupted the guide, with a quick and slightly
sarcastic glance.

"No, but of nobility of mind and heart," replied the youth, with much
enthusiasm. In which feeling he was ear