Part 17 (1/2)

De la Brive You took advantage of my inexperience!

Mercadet Of course I did! The inexperience of a man who raises a loan on his sand wastes fifty per cent above their value.

De la Brive Gla.s.s can be made out of sand!

Mercadet That's a good idea!

De la Brive Therefore, sir--

Mercadet Silence! Promise me that this broken marriage-contract shall be kept secret.

De la Brive I swear it shall-- Ah! excepting to Pierquin. I have just written to him to set his mind at rest.

Mercadet Is that the letter you sent by Justin?

De la Brive The very one.

Mercadet And what have you told him?

De la Brive The name of my father-in-law. Confound it!--I thought you were rich.

Mercadet (despairingly) And you have written that to Pierquin? It's all up! This fresh defeat will be known on the Exchange! But, any way, I am ruined! Suppose I write to him-- Suppose I ask him-- (He goes to the table to write.)

SCENE NINTH

The same persons, Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Verdelin.

Mme. Mercadet My friend, M. Verdelin.

Julie (to Verdelin) Here is my father, sir.

Mercadet Ah! It is you, is it, Verdelin--and you are come to dinner?

Verdelin No, I am not come to dinner.

Mercadet (aside) He knows all. He is furious!

Verdelin And this gentleman is your son-in-law? (Verdelin bows to De la Brive.) This is a fine marriage you are going to make!

Mercadet The marriage, my dear sir, is not going to take place.

Julie How happy I feel!

(De la Brive bows to Julie. She casts down her eyes.)

Mme. Mercadet (seizing her hand) My dear daughter!