Bigot could trust Cadet. He had only to whisper a few words in his
ear to see him jump up from the table where he was playing cards,
dash his stakes with a sweep of his hand into the lap of his
antagonist, a gift or a forfeit, he cared not which, for not
finishing the game. In three minutes Cadet was booted, with his
heavy riding-whip in his hand ready to mount his horse and accompany
Bigot "to Beaumanoir or to hell," he said, "if he wanted to go
there."
In the short space of time, while the grooms saddled their horses,
Bigot drew Cadet aside and explained to him the situation of his
affairs, informing him, in a few words, who the lady was who lived
in such retirement in the Chateau, and of his denial of the fact
before the Council and Governor. He told him of the letters of the
King and of La Pompadour respecting Caroline, and of the necessity
of removing her at once far out of reach before the actual search
for her was begun.
Cadet's cynical eyes flashed in genuine sympathy with Bigot, and
he laid his heavy hand upon his shoulder and uttered a frank
exclamation of admiration at his ruse to cheat La Pompadour and
La Galissoniere both.
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