The Dutch commander, Justin of Nassau, bowing as he proffers the key to the city, raises his head, surprised, to meettheeyes of Spinola, who touches him on the shoulder with one hand while dangling a mace of command in the other.
They look at each other again (and this is surprising, the way their eyesmeet again after the apology), and what she sees, beneath the expedient mask of bitterness, is a well of unbearable horror and fear.