With ceremonious solemnity Pont-de-Vesle accepted a pinch, just as young d'Aiguillon came smilingly up to them. "Good-morning, Monsieur le Duc! Do you bring news, or come for it?"
"I come for it, my dear Count," returned Richelieu. "What do they talk of in the Œil to-day?"
"One subject only."
"So bad as that? Who has committed it? I am all ignorance!"
"You mistake. There is no fresh scandal. It is—"
"Women," put in Pont-de-Vesle, sourly.
"Oh! What women?"
"That is more difficult. There are many rumors. It is said in Paris that—Mme. de Châteauroux is to come back."
The Duke raised his eyebrows. "Paris! That is a curious news-mart. What says Versailles?"
"Oh!—" Young d'Aiguillon stopped, assuming a mysterious expression.