His Eminence the Cardinal, driving through the sunlit countryside, was deep in thought.
He was wondering how he could explain to the Duchesse that he had failed in the quest that she had sent him on.
He had never imagined for a moment that he would not succeed in obtaining the consent of one of the young women she had chosen to become the bride of the Duc de Savigne.
He had thought the most suitable one would prove to be Isabelle, the daughter of the Duc de Foucauld-Fleury.
He had arrived at the Duc’s Château to be greeted enthusiastically by both the Duc and the Duchesse who were devout Catholics.
“It is far too long, Your Eminence, since we have had the pleasure of welcoming you to this part of the country,” the Duc said genially.
“My duties in Paris do unfortunately keep me fully
