It was easy enough if he chose to adopt certain means; there were many of those Spanish fellows who would not mind sticking a knife into his back in the dark.
But sinful as he was, at such steps his conscience halted.

Whatever d'Aguilar had done, he had never caused a man to be actually murdered, he who was a bigot, who atoned for his misdoings by periods of remorse and prayer, in which he placed his purse and talents at the service of the Church, as he was doing at this moment.

No, murder must not be thought of; for how could any absolution wash him clean of that stain?
But there were other ways.

For instance, had not this Peter, in self-defence it is true, killed one of the servants of an ambassador of Spain?
Perhaps, however, it would not be necessary to make use of them.
It had seemed to him that the lady was not ill pleased with him, and, after all, he had much to offer.

He would court her fairly, and if he were rejected by her, or by her father, then it would be time enough to act.