"Then will I pay you well," she continued eagerly. "I have thought it all out. I am rich you know, and my bond is as good as that of any man. Do you but bring me inkhorn and paper, I will give you a bond for 4,000 guilders on Mynheer Ben Isaje himself, he hath monies of mine own in trust and at interest. But if 4,000 guilders are not enough, I pray you name your price; it shall be what you ask." "What do you desire me to do, Madonna?" "I desire you to escort me to Delft so that I may speak with the Prince of Orange." "The Prince of Orange is well guarded. No stranger is allowed to enter his presence." "I am not a stranger to him. My father is his friend; a word from me to him, a ring of mine sent in with a request for an audience and he will not refuse." "And having entered the presence of the Stadtholder, mejuffrouw, what do you propose to say to him?" "That, sir, is naught to you," she retorted coldly. "I pray you forgive me," he said, still humbly kneeling, "but you have deigned to ask my help, and I'll not give it unless you will tell me what your purpose is." "You would not dare...." "To make conditions for my services?" he said speaking always with utmost deference, "this do I dare, mejuffrouw, and my condition is for your acceptance or refusal--as you command." "I did not ask for your help, sir," she said curtly. "I offered to pay you for certain services which I desire you to render me." Already her look of pleading had gone. She had straightened herself up, prouder and more disdainful than before. He dared to make conditions! he! the mercenary creature whom anyone could buy body and soul for money, who took payment for doing such work as would soil an honest man's hands! It was monstrous! impossible, unthinkable. She thought that her ears had deceived her or that mayhap he had misunderstood. In a moment at her words, at the scornful glance which accompanied them, he had risen to his feet. The subtle moment had gone by; the air was no longer oppressive, and the ground felt quite steady under him. Calm, smiling, good-tempered, he straightened out his massive figure as if to prepare himself for those shafts which her cruel little tongue knew so well how to deal. And inwardly he offered up a thanksgiving to St. Bavon for this cold douche upon his flaming temper. "I did not misunderstand you, mejuffrouw," he said lightly, "and I am ready to do you service--under a certain condition."