The summons to the visitor's room astonished Andrea almost as much as everyone else. The clever young man had stayed silent since arriving at La Force, rather than using his privilege to send for someone immediately.
"Everything proves I'm under the protection of some powerful person," he'd reasoned. "This sudden fortune, the ease with which I've overcome obstacles, an unexpected family and illustrious name given to me, gold showered upon me, the promise of brilliant marriages. One slip of fortune and my protector's temporary absence have brought me down, but not forever. The hand that withdrew will reach out again just when I think I'm sinking into the abyss. Why risk a rash move that might anger my protector? He has two ways to get me out of this mess, either a mysterious escape through bribery, or buying off my judges with gold. I'll say and do nothing until I'm convinced he's truly abandoned me, and then..."
