He braved danger, and showed himself more than ever to the people.

The conspirators had made several fruitless attempts during the Diet, but chance had preserved the king.
Since his return to Stockholm, the king frequently went to pass the day alone at his chateau at Haga, a league from the capital.

Three of the conspirators had approached the chateau, at five o'clock on a dark winter's evening, armed with carbines, and ready to fire on the king.
The apartment he occupied was on the ground floor, and the lighted candles in the library enabled them to see their victim.

Gustavus, on his return from hunting, undressed, and fell asleep in an arm chair, within a few feet of the assassins.

Whether it was that they were alarmed by the sound of footsteps, or that the solemn contrast of the peaceful slumber of this prince with the death that threatened him, softened their hearts, they again abandoned their project, and only revealed this circumstance on their trial after the assassination, when the king acknowledged the truth and precision of their details.