"By my means, Holiness."
"We understand that Your Eminency actually proposed us to the Conclave?"
"That is so."
"And We infer that you also recommended Us: or at least described Us in such a way that the cardinals knew whom they were electing?"
"Yes, Holy Father."
"Why did Your Eminency propose Us?" the Pope purred.
The cardinal seemed to be at a loss again. He appeared to have a difficulty in expression, not a lack of material for expression. Hadrian made a dash for the rudiments.
"There were other names before the College? Why were none of their owners chosen?"
"It was impossible to agree about their merits, Holiness."
"Several attempts, no doubt, were made?"