He had just received, as we have already stated, the courier who had been dispatched to him by Bragelonne, the latter having written to De Guiche a letter which had made the deepest impression upon him, and which he had read over and over again.

"Strange, strange!" he murmured.

"How powerful are the means by which destiny hurries men on toward their fate!" Leaving the window in order to approach nearer to the light, he again read over the letter he had just received: "Calais.
"MY DEAR COUNT--I found M.de Wardes at Calais; he has been seriously wounded in an affair with the Duke of Buckingham.

De Wardes is, as you know, unquestionably brave, but full of malevolent and wicked feelings.

He conversed with me about yourself, for whom, he says, he has a warm regard; and also about Madame, whom he considers a beautiful and amiable woman.