De Guiche advanced toward De Wardes, who was surrounded by a large number of persons, and thereby indicated his wish to converse with him; De Wardes, at the same time, showing by his looks and by a movement of his head that he perfectly understood him.
There was nothing in these signs to enable strangers to suppose they were otherwise than upon the most friendly footing.

De Guiche could therefore turn away from him, and wait until he was at liberty.

He had not long to wait; for De Wardes, freed from his questioners, approached De Guiche, and both of them, after a fresh salutation, began to walk side by side together.
"You have made a good impression since your return, my dear De Wardes," said the comte.
"Excellent, as you see." "And your spirits are just as lively as ever ?" "More than ever." "And a very great happiness, too." "Why not?
Everything is so ridiculous in this world, everything so absurd around us." "You are right." "You are of my opinion, then ?" "I should think so! And what news do you bring us from yonder ?" "I?
none at all.

I have come to look for news here." "But, tell me, you surely must have seen some people at Boulogne, one of our friends, for instance; it is no great time ago ?" "Some people--one of our friends--" "Your memory is short." "Ah! true; Bragelonne, you mean." "Exactly so." "Who was on his way to fulfill a mission, with which he was intrusted, to King Charles II." "Precisely.

Well, then, did he not tell you, or did not you tell him--" "I do not precisely know what I told him, I must confess; but I do know what I did not tell him." De Wardes was finesse itself.