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"Let it be so considered!" said the duke "Better an open war than a

clandestine defeat! Adieu, Sir Cardinal!"

And the duke made for the door But the cardinal held him back

"Have you reflected upon the consequences?" he asked "You knohat

iotiations at this reatest and most powerful of orders, of the

extirpation of the Jesuits, is the question The pope is favorable

to this idea of the Portuguese minister, Pombal, but he desires the

co-operation of the other Catholic courts Austria gives her consent,

as do Sardinia and all the other Italian states; only the court of Spain

has declared itself the friend and defender of the Jesuits, and for

your sake has France hitherto remained passive on this most important

question, and has affected not to hear the demands of her subjects;

for your sake has France stifled her own convictions and joined in your

support Therefore, think well of what you are about to do! To break off

your friendly relations with France, is to coainst Spain; and if the powerful voice of France is heard against the

Jesuits, the single voice of Spain will be powerless to uphold theo!" cried the duke "What care I for the Jesuits

when the defence of our honor is concerned? Sir Cardinal, farewell;

however France ance!"