I know it is a great responsibility; but if you and the countess can bring yourselves to commit her to me I swear to you, as a Scottish gentleman and a Protestant soldier, that I will watch over her as a brother until I place her in all honour in safe hands." The count looked at the countess and at Thekla, who sat pale and still.
"We can trust you, Malcolm Graheme," he said after a pause.

"There are few, indeed, into whose hands we would thus confide our daughter; but we know you to be indeed, as you say, a Scottish gentleman and a Protestant soldier.

Moreover, we know you to be faithful, honourable, and true.
Therefore we will, seeing that there is no other mode of escape from the fate which awaits her, confide her wholly to you.

And now tell us what are your plans ?".