She looked at me for a moment.
“Oh, Monsieur,” she cried passionately, “how deep is my humiliation! To think that I was made a part of so vile a bargain! Oh, I am glad that M. de Mancini has proved above the sordid task to which they set him—glad that he will dupe the Cardinal and my father.”
“So am not I, Mademoiselle,” I exclaimed. She vouchsafed me a stare of ineffable surprise.
“How?
“Diable!” I answered. “I am M. de Mancini's friend. It was to shield him that I fought your brother; again, because of my attitude towards him was it that I went perilously near assassination at Reaux. 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 Eugène!”
“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.”