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There was at this time a contest regarding the succession to the

dukedom of Mantua, of which, at the death of Vincenzo Gonzaga,

who died without male issue, the Duke de Nevers, his nearest

relation, had obtained possession. Louis XIII., or rather the

Cardinal de Richelieu, wished to sustain him there; Philip IV.,

or rather the Count d'Olivares, commonly called the Count Duke,

opposed him. The dukedom was then a fief of the empire, and the

two parties employed intrigue and importunity at the court of the

Emperor Ferdinand II. The object of one was to obtain the

investiture of the new duke; of the other, the denial of his

claim, and also assistance to oblige him to relinquish it.

"I rather think," said the Count Attilio, "that the thing will be

arranged satisfactorily. I have reasons--"