Then I proceeded to tell him of the cabal which had been formed
against Mancini, and of the part played by St. Auban. At the mention of
that name he started as if I had stung him.
"What!" he thundered. "Is that ruffian also in the affair? Sangdieu! His
motives are not far to seek. He is a suitor--an unfavoured suitor--for the
hand of Yvonne, that seemingly still hopes. But you have not told me,
Monsieur, the name of this man who has stood betwixt Andrea and his
assassins."
"Can you not guess, Monsieur?" quoth I, looking him squarely in the face.
"Did you not hear Andrea call me, even now, his protector."
"You? And with what motive, pray?"
"At first, as I have told you, because the Cardinal gave me no choice in
the matter touching your son. Since then my motive has lain in my
friendship for the boy. He has been kind and affectionate to one who has
known little kindness or affection in life. I seek to repay him by
advancing his interests and his happiness. That, Monsieur, is why I am
here to-day--to shield him from St. Auban and his fellows should they
appear again, as I believe they will.
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