Page:Repertory of the Comedie Humaine.djvu/65

 A paper-merchant at one time, retired from business since the year II of the Republic, he opened an account with a Dutchman called Sieur Werbrust, who was a friend of Gobseck. In business relations with the latter, he was one of the most formidable usurers in Paris, during the Empire, the Restoration and the first part of the July Government. He dwelt in rue Greneta. (The Government Clerks, Gobseck) Luigi Porta, a ranking officer retired under Louis XVIII., sold all his back pay to Gigonnet. (The Vendetta) Bidault was one of the syndicate that engineered the bankruptcy of Birotteau in 1819. At this time he persecuted Mme. Madou, a market dealer in filberts, who was his debtor. (Cesar Birotteau) In 1824 he succeeded in making his grand-nephew, Isidore Baudoyer, chief of the division under the Minister of Finance; in this he was aided by Gobseck and Mitral, and worked on the General Secretary, Chardin des Lupeaulx, through the medium of the latter's debts and the fact of his being candidate for deputy. (The Government Clerks) Bidault was shrewd enough; he saw through&mdash;and much to his profit&mdash;the pretended speculation involved in the third receivership which was operated by Nucingen in 1826. (The Firm of Nucingen) In 1833 M. du Tillet advised Nathan, then financially stranded, to apply to Gigonnet, the object being to involve Nathan. (A Daughter of Eve) The nick-name of Gigonnet was applied to Bidault on account of a feverish, involuntary contraction of a leg muscle. (The Government Clerks)

BIDDIN, goldsmith, rue de l'Arbe-Sec, Paris, in 1829; one of Esther Gobseck's creditors. (Scenes from a Courtesan's Life)

BIFFE (La), concubine of the criminal Riganson, alias Le Biffon. This woman, who was a sort of Jacques Collin in petticoats, evaded the police, thanks to her disguises. She could ape the marquise, the baronne and the comtesse to perfection. She had her own carriage and footmen. (Scenes from a Courtesan's Life)

BIFFON (Le), an alias of Riganson.