A Night on the Veluwe
Mentioned as the bride of Diogenes, object of Stoutenburg's obsessive love and hatred.
IV
Mentioned as the bride in the wedding with Diogenes, which enrages Stoutenburg.
V
Mentioned as the object of Stoutenburg's obsessive passion, now married to Diogenes.
The Double Wedding
The bride, moving through the crowd in a daze, fully conscious of her lover's will and content to be his captive.
II
One of the brides, described as beautiful and vital, with a mysterious smile; her portrait by Frans Hals is referenced.
III
Engages in tender conversation with Diogenes; reflects on their whirlwind romance; shows concern for the Stadtholder's health.
IV
Watches the Stadtholder with concern, then boldly prompts Diogenes to give a toast, showing her loyalty and fervor.
V
The bride; Diogenes dreams of taking her away; she reassures her father about the marriage.
VI
Carried away by Diogenes; she yields to him, feeling content and ready for a kiss.
VII
Lies in Diogenes' arms, unaware of the ominous arrival of Socrates and Pythagoras.
III: The Great Interruption
Feels abandoned after the interruption but quickly takes charge; later sings at the virginal and waits for Diogenes, agreeing to flee with him to England.
I
Feels isolated after being the center of attention; takes initiative to lead the way into the house and call for a guest chamber.
III
She is waiting for Diogenes, ready to flee with him to England, and expresses her trust and devotion.
V
Overhears the discussion, brings Diogenes his sword, and silently accepts his departure.
VI
Waits submissively for Diogenes, having silently bid him to go out of love and concern for his honor.
IV: Adder's Fork
Fiercely defends Diogenes against Nicolaes's insinuations, strikes Nicolaes with his gloves, and prays for her husband's safety.
I
Mentioned in the context of her love for Diogenes and her father's acceptance of their union.
III
Waits up for her brother Nicolaes; defends her husband fiercely against his insinuations of treason, strikes Nicolaes, and prays for her lord's safety.
A Race for Life
Briefly appears in Diogenes' thoughts as he swims the Ijssel, imagining a ride with her.
III
Appears in Diogenes' fleeting vision of a promised ride.
A Nest of Scorpions
Anxious and torn between loyalty to her father and concern for her husband's honor; she insists she saw her husband return through the Joris Poort.
I
Remains silent about her concerns, trusting the man she loves despite the mystery of his journey across the Veluwe.
III
Defends her husband against the Stadtholder's implication of failure, feels wounded by her brother's sarcasm, and slips away heavyhearted.
IV
Gilda seeks solitude in the attic, watching the town below and yearning for her beloved's return.
V
Watches from the attic, runs to greet the rider, and is caught in the panic as the Spanish approach.
VI
Anxious and insistent that she saw her husband return; feels isolated and betrayed by her brother.
Chapter VII
Desperately searches for Diogenes and Pythagoras, fights against the spy rumors, and longs to see her beloved.
A Subtle Traitor
Witnesses the attack on Diogenes, disarms her brother Nicolaes, and is left in despair as Diogenes vanishes.
I
Mentioned as having departed earlier; her feelings are a point of contention, but she is not present in the hall.
III
Spots Diogenes in the crowd, cries out to the Stadtholder, and watches anxiously for her beloved.
IV
Senses treachery in Nicolaes' haste, cries out to Diogenes, and physically intervenes to disarm Nicolaes after he stabs Diogenes.
V
Disarms her brother Nicolaes, then searches in vain for Diogenes, nearly swooning.
Devil's-Writ
Gilda is mentioned as being anxious for Diogenes and waiting in tears; she is the moral concern of the philosophers.
I
Anxiously waiting in tears for Diogenes; the philosophers prioritize her safety above all.
Mala Fides
Defends her father and appeals to Nicolaes' honor, but is threatened by Stoutenburg.
I
Stoutenburg hopes to regain her affections now that Diogenes is blind, and plans to keep the truth from her.
II
Stoutenburg's former love; he now sees her as a prize to be humiliated and controlled.
III
Nicolaes fears meeting Gilda eye to eye, but exults in the thought of standing before her as a conqueror, though she is away with her father.
IV
Mentioned as being with the burgomaster in his private apartments; Stoutenburg commands her to sup with him.
V
Mentioned in Stoutenburg's memories as the girl he betrayed and who he wishes had remained true to him.
VI
Present with her father, forcibly separated from him, and described as beautiful in her indignation.
VII
Comforts her father, confronts Stoutenburg, and points out Nicolaes in a desperate attempt to protect her father.
A Prince of Darkness
Gilda is the focal point of the chapter, grappling with fear, hatred, and a fierce protective love for Diogenes after learning of his blinding.
I
Gilda is the central focus; she shows calm resolve after her father is taken, and her thoughts are consumed by love and fear for her beloved.
II
Overwrought, she sits in the Stadtholder's chair and recoils from Stoutenburg's touch.
III
Gilda is informed of her husband's blinding; she experiences intense emotional agony but tries to appear calm.
IV
Regains consciousness after the shock of Diogenes' blinding; defiantly refuses Stoutenburg's demand to accompany him.
V
Defies Stoutenburg's ultimatum, appeals to her brother, and struggles with despair and horror at the betrayal.
VI
Defiant and desperate, she prays for divine intervention rather than submit to Stoutenburg's demands, showing her courage and faith.
XI: The Danger-Spoke
Refuses her brother's escort and goes upstairs; Stoutenburg broods over her perceived infatuation with Diogenes.
I
Refuses her brother's escort and follows Jan, ascending the stairs.
II
Discussed by Stoutenburg and Nicolaes; her willful temper and supposed infatuation with Diogenes are topics of conversation.
III
Enters with her father; Stoutenburg plans to use Diogenes to win her love.
XII: Tears, Sighs, Hearts
Embraces Diogenes, defies Stoutenburg, and struggles with the choice between her love and her city's safety.
I
Embraces her blind husband, showing devotion and tenderness despite the presence of Stoutenburg and her family.
II
Forced to choose between submitting to Stoutenburg's demand for a kiss or letting Diogenes hang; she initially yields but is saved by Diogenes's accidental disruption.
III
Torn between love and duty, she submits to Stoutenburg to save Amersfoort, watching Diogenes' departure in despair.
XIII: The Stygian Creek
Desperately pleads with Stoutenburg to spare Diogenes, offering herself as a willing slave and wife.
I
Sits still, eyes fixed on the door where Diogenes disappeared; submits to Stoutenburg in hopes of softening his heart; cannot eat.
II
Endures the supper with studied indifference, hiding her horror and suffering.
III
Desperate and heartbroken, she pleads for Diogenes' life, offering herself to Stoutenburg, then collapses in her father's arms.
XIV: Treachery
Haunts Nicolaes' thoughts as a pale, tear-stained face; her potential knowledge of the betrayal adds to his remorse.
I
She pleads desperately for the blind man and finally mounts the stairs to her room, leaning on her father's arm.
II
Has just disappeared upstairs with her father; earlier knelt at Stoutenburg's feet pleading for the blind vagabond, reminding him of his mother's humiliation.
IV
Referenced in Stoutenburg's thoughts as the object of his desire and the cause of his jealousy.
VII
Mentioned as the object of Stoutenburg's love and as a source of Nicolaes' remorse.
XV: The Molen on the Veluwe
Witnesses Stoutenburg's terror, rejects his pleas, and is later forced into the litter for the journey.
I
Taken in a litter, she shows remarkable serenity despite her inner turmoil and fear.
II
Gilda comes downstairs with her waiting woman Maria, wrapped in a fur cloak, having taken leave of her father; she appears to glance toward the banqueting room and shiver.
III
Remains in the litter during the halt, attended by Maria.
IV
Brought to the molen by Stoutenburg; remains calm and inscrutable, asking only for privacy and rest.
V
Mentioned as Stoutenburg's prize, now irrevocably tied to him.
VI
Sits in the loft, evades Stoutenburg's advances, hides behind a beam, and is present during Diogenes's arrival and the ensuing confrontation.
VII
Watches in horror from the steps, is used as a shield by Stoutenburg, and collapses in sobbing exhaustion.
XVI: The Final Issue
Diogenes' wife, held prisoner by Stoutenburg, who remains steadfast in her loyalty and courage, playing her role to aid Diogenes' plan.
I
Diogenes's young wife, residing in Amersfoort; her safety is the driving force behind Diogenes's desperate journey.
II
The woman Diogenes loves, held prisoner by Stoutenburg and forced to accompany his troops.
III
Demonstrates perfect loyalty and courage, never doubting the Englishman despite appearances and danger.
XVII: The Only World
Gilda is exhausted and traumatized after the recent events, finding comfort in Maria's arms and later in Diogenes' embrace.
I
Half numb with nerve strain, suffering from reaction after terrible excitement; finds comfort in Maria's ministrations.
II
Sleeps curled up, then wakes and embraces Diogenes.
