Part 17 (2/2)

Mercadet I have been deceived by Mericourt.

Verdelin And you have played on me one of your tricks this morning, for the purpose of getting a thousand crowns; but the whole incident has been made public on the Exchange, and they think it a huge joke!

Mercadet They have been informed, I suppose--

Verdelin That your pocket-book is full of the notes of hand signed by your son- in-law. And Pierquin tells me that your creditors are exasperated, and are to meet to-night at the house of Goulard to conclude measures for united action against you to-morrow!

Mercadet To-night! To-morrow! Ah! I hear the knell of bankruptcy sound!

Verdelin Yes, to-morrow they are going to send a prison cab for you.

Mme. Mercadet and Julie G.o.d help us!

Mercadet I see the carriage, the hea.r.s.e of the speculator, carrying me to Clichy!

Verdelin They wish, as far as possible, to rid the Exchange of all sharpers!

Mercadet They are fools, for in that case they will turn it into a desert! And so I am ruined! Expelled from the Exchange with all the sequelae of bankruptcy,--shame, beggary! I cannot believe it--it is impossible!

De la Brive Believe me, sir, that I regret having been in some degree--

Mercadet (looking him in the face) You! (in a low voice to him) Listen to me: you have hurried on my destruction, but you have it in your power to help me to escape.

De la Brive On what conditions?

Mercadet I will make you a good offer! (Aloud, as they start toward opposite doors) True, the idea is a bold one! But to-morrow, the 'Change will recognize in me one of its master spirits.

Verdelin What is he talking about?

Mercadet To-morrow, all my debts will be paid, and the house of Mercadet will be turning over millions! I shall be acknowledged as the Napoleon of finance.

Verdelin What a man he is!

Mercadet And a Napoleon who meets no Waterloo!

Verdelin But where are your troops?

Mercadet My army is cash in hand! What answer can be made to a business man who says, ”Take your money!” Come let us dine now.

Verdelin Certainly. I shall be delighted to dine with you.

Mercadet (while they all move towards the dining-room, aside) They are all glad of it! To-morrow I will either command millions, or rest in the damp winding-sheet of the Seine!

Curtain to the Second Act.

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