celebrated shrine, and to obtain masses for his dead friend. It so happened that María de Mendoza, wife of the powerful secretary, Cobos, was there at the time, attended by a large suite. Aware of his influence with the fair sex, Cortés resolved not to miss so good an opportunity to win the approval of the imperial favorite. Never did his fluent tongue serve him to better purpose than when he made his bow before Doña María. He even ventured upon a mild flirtation with her beautiful sister, sighing a subtle allusion to the chains that bound him to another.[1] All the ladies were enchanted with the gallant and talented hero, who could so well supplement his fascination with rich presents, and Doña María wrote the most glowing commendations of her protégé to her lord, sufficient at least to dissipate many of his prejudices against the adventurer.[2]
In promise of coming honors, the sovereign was pleased to assign Cortés quarters during his stay at court. On approaching Toledo he was met by the duke of Béjar with a brilliant retinue, who conducted him into the city. The following day, in company with the admiral of the Indies, Cobos, and others, he was received by the emperor, and kneeling to kiss his hand was graciously commanded to rise. He thereupon gave an outline of his achievements, and illustrated the resources of the country with specimens of produce, natives, and treasures. In conclusion he made excuses for the length of his speech and the boldness of his utterances, and presented a memorial wherein his services were more fully recorded. The emperor appeared greatly impressed by the story of the conquest, related with all
- ↑ It has even been hinted that Doña María made an effort to unite the two, and that Cortés' unwillingness made her his enemy, greatly to his prejudice. But this is unlikely, for the alliance with the ducal family was already a settled affair. Bernal Diaz hints that the match would have procured him the greatest favors at court. Hist. Verdad., 225. The sister married not long afterward the adelantado of the Canaries.
- ↑ Bernal Diaz states that, Cobos was so pleased that he showed his wife's letters to the king.
