He, so cold and correct, was almost never to be found save in the company of astrologers, cabbalists, demonologists, alchemists, theologians, or inventors.
Weary of the advances and the facile intimacies of artists, Durtal had been attracted by this man's fastidious reserve.

It was perfectly natural that Durtal, surfeited with skin-deep friendships, should feel drawn to Des Hermies, but it was difficult to imagine why Des Hermies, with his taste for strange associations, should take a liking to Durtal, who was the soberest, steadiest, most normal of men.

Perhaps Des Hermies felt the need of talking with a sane human being now and then as a relief.

And, too, the literary discussions which he loved were out of the question with these addlepates who monologued indefatigably on the subject of their monomania and their ego.
At odds, like Durtal, with his confreres, Des Hermies could expect nothing from the physicians, whom he avoided, nor from the specialists with whom he consorted.
As a matter of fact there had been a juncture of two beings whose situation was almost identical.

At first restrained and on the defensive, they had come finally to _tu-toi_ each other and establish a relation which had been a great advantage to Durtal.