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 Eugene!" "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.

Therefore-- "In truth, Mademoiselle," I answered, lying glibly, "it would have given me more pleasure had Andrea chosen to obey his Eminence." Her manner froze upon the instant.
"In the consideration of your friend's advancement," she replied, half contemptuously, "you forget, M.de Luynes, to consider me.

Am I, then, a thing to be bartered into the hands of the first fortune-hunter who woos me because he has been bidden so to do, and who is to marry me for political purposes?
Pshaw, M.de Luynes!" she added, with a scornful laugh, "after all, I was a fool to expect aught else from--" She checked herself abruptly, and a sudden access of mercy left the stinging "you" unuttered.