Enemies sprang up
about him when the Cardinal's matrimonial projects became known. Your
brother picked a quarrel with him, and when I had dealt with your brother,
St. Auban appeared, and after St. Auban there were others. When it is
known that he has played this trick upon 'Uncle Giulio' his enemies will
disappear; but, on the other hand, his prospects will all be blighted, and
for that I am sorry."
"So that was the motive of your duel with Eug?ne!"
"At last you learn it."
"And," she added in a curious voice, "you would have been better pleased
had M. de Mancini carried out his uncle's wishes?"
"It matters little what I would think, Mademoiselle," I answered guardedly,
for I could not read that curious tone of hers.
"Nevertheless, I am curious to hear your answer."
What answer could I make? The truth--that for all my fine talk, I was at
heart and in a sense right glad that she was not to become Andrea's wife--
would have seemed ungallant. Moreover, I must have added the explanation
that I desired to see her no man's wife, so that I might not seem to
contradict myself.
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