His love was not true; he was trying, at any cost, to clear up the situation because he didn't want the public eye staring at him.
With all hope gone to find a scientific cure to the supposed rabies that Sierva had, the Marquis used the advice given by all the physicians, that she showed signs of demonic possession. When word got out to the Catholic Bishop, he sent for the Marquis and convinced him to hand over his daughter into the hands of God. The night before he was to send Sierva away to a live in the church he stayed with her and helped her get ready for bed, everything a loving father would do for his child. He did this because he finally realized how precious his daughter was to him and how he wished she didn't have to leave his sight. "Both our shit lives for hers, damn it!"(P.58) But if he were never aware of the dog bite would he have had this epiphany? Morning had come and he awoke his daughter and got her dressed up. Sierva did not know what she was getting dressed for but she followed along. They rode to the church where nuns who cared nothing for the girl met them. As they took her inside "He hoped in vain that in a rare moment of compassion she would turn to look at him."(P.61) It never happened and at that point he realized that Sierva would never know how much her father loved her.
Believing that Sierva was possessed the gatekeeper walked her to a termite infested cell, but on the way decided for a novice to take her the rest of the way. She did not follower the gatekeeper's orders because he saw no reason why this girl should be locked away. So she left Sierva on a bench in the garden and soon enough was met by two novices who took advantage of her and stole one of her rings. Sierva protected her belongings by biting the hand of the novice. A while later when met with two black slaves Sierva's entire persona changed. She let her guard down when she realized that these slaves spoke in an African language she knew well and "the girl's eager reply was in the same language.