In seeking, however, to marry his nephew Andrea to one of the greatest heiresses in France, he goes too far.

Yvonne de Canaples is for some noble countryman of her own--there are many suitors to her hand--and for no nephew of Giulio Mazarini.

Her brother Eugene, himself, thinks thus, and therein, M.de Luynes, you have the real motive of the quarrel which he provoked with Andrea, and which, had you not interfered, could have had but one ending." "Why do you tell me all this, Monsieur ?" I inquired coldly, betraying none of the amazement his last words gave birth to.
"So that you may know the true position of affairs, and, knowing it, see the course which the name you bear must bid you follow.

Because Canaples failed am I here to-day.

I had not counted upon meeting you, but since I have met you, I have set the truth before you, confident that you will now withdraw from an affair to which no real interest can bind you, leaving matters to pursue their course." He eyed me, methought, almost anxiously from under his brows, as he awaited my reply.