The countess had no thought of quitting him.

Her anxiety was wholly for her daughter, a girl of fifteen, whom the emperor purposed to shut up in a convent and force to change her religion, and then to bestow her hand upon one of his favourites, with her father's confiscated estates as her dowry.
"I succeeded in effecting her escape, disguised as a boy; I myself travelling in the disguise of a peasant with a wagon.

We were making our way towards the Swedish lines when we came across your army, which had, unknown to me, suddenly moved hither.

I and my cart were requisitioned for the service of the army.

On the night of my arrival here I resumed my disguise as a craftsman, left my wagon, and with my young companion took up my lodging here, intending to remain quietly working at the craft I assumed until an opportunity offered for continuing our journey.
Accident obtained me employment here, and as rumour said that overtures for peace were passing between yourself and the Swedish chancellor, I may frankly say that I determined to use the position in which I accidentally found myself for the benefit of the country I served, by ascertaining, if I could, how far your excellency was in earnest as to the offers you were making.