Sartines produced his snuff-box and took a pinch. Then he turned to the window and looked out on the courtyard.
He felt himself badly placed.
He had guarded against everything but this—Rochefort turned an enemy.
He knew quite well that the Dubarrys had used Rochefort just as they had used the old Comtesse de Béarn, for their own ends, and would throw him away when used; what angered him was the fact that this fool of a Vicomte Jean had clearly let Rochefort perceive this; there was the business of the girl, too. Rochefort had promised no secrecy.
“Before we talk of Rochefort,” said he, “how about Madame de Béarn?”
“We have nothing to fear from her,” said Jean. “She was furious, but the thing is over, and were she to make a fuss, she would gain nothing and lose a good deal. She has come in, and her price, between you and me, was not a low price. She has cost us two hundred thousand francs. By the way, I suppose Ferminard is safe?”
“Yes; when his work was done, he was driven to Vincennes very securely guarded. When Choiseul is gone from the Ministry, we will let him out. Now, as to Rochefort, we must deal with that gentleman in a drastic way. That is to say, we must save him from Choiseul. For, if Choiseul once takes him into his hands, we are lost.”
“How do you propose to act?”
“Very simply. I shall arrest him and hide him in Vincennes.”
“And Choiseul, when he hears the news, will visit him in Vincennes.”