"I sent spies and messengers in every direction the moment I heard of the abominable outrage against your person," he continued with well-feigned vehemence. "I cannot even begin to tell you what I endured these past three days, until at last, by dint of ruse and force, I was able to circumvent the villains who held you captive, and convey you hither in safety and profound respect until such time as I can find a suitable escort to take you back to your father." "If what you say is true, my lord, you could lend me an escort at once, that I might return to my dear father forthwith. Truly he must have broken his heart by now, weeping for me." "Have I not said that I am your slave?" he rejoined gently, "an you desire to return to Haarlem immediately, I will see about an escort for you as quickly as may be. The hour is late now," he added hypocritically, "but a man can do much when his heart's desire lies in doing the behests of a woman whom he worships." Though she frowned at these last words of his, she leaned forward eagerly to him. "You will let me go ... at once ... to-night?" "At once if it lies in my power," he replied unblushingly, "but I fear me that you will have to wait a few hours; the night is as dark as pitch. It were impossible to make a start in it. To-morrow, however...." "To-morrow?" she cried anxiously, "'Tis to-night that I wish to go." "The way to Haarlem is long ..." he murmured. "'Tis not to Haarlem, my lord, but to Delft that I long to go." "To Delft?" he exclaimed with a perfect show of astonishment. She bit her lip and for the moment remained silent. It had, indeed, been worse than folly to imagine that he--of all men in the world--would help her to go to Delft. But he had been so gentle, so kind, apparently so ready to do all that she asked, that for the moment she forgot that he and he alone was the mover of that hideous conspiracy to murder which she still prayed to God that she might avert. "I had forgotten, my lord," she said, as tears threatened to choke her voice, "I had forgotten." "Forgotten? What?" he asked blankly. "That you are not like to escort me to Delft." "Why not to Delft, an you wish to go there?" "But ..." she murmured, "the Stadtholder...." "Ah!" he exclaimed, "now I understand. You are thinking of what you overheard in the cathedral of Haarlem." "Indeed, how could I forget it?" "Easily now, Gilda," he replied with solemn earnestness. "The plans which my friends and I formed on that night have been abandoned." "Abandoned?" "Yes! Your brother was greatly impressed by all that you said to him. He persuaded us all to think more lengthily over the matter. Then came the news of the outrage upon your person, and all thoughts of my ambition and of my revenge faded before this calamity, and I have devoted every hour of mine existence since then to find you and to restore you to your home."