Part 19 (1/2)

Mercadet Thirty thousand francs. (Aside) They might be tripled by buying some of Verdelin's stock and then doubled with-- No, no. (To Minard) My boy, you are at the age of self-sacrifice. If I could pay two hundred francs with thirty thousand, the fortune of France, of myself and of most people would be made. No, keep your money!

Minard What! You refuse it?

Mercadet (aside) If with this I could keep them quiet for a month, if by some bold stoke I could revive the depression in my property, it might be all right. But the money of these poor children, it cuts me to the heart to think of it, for when they are in tears people calculate amiss; it is not well to risk the money of any but fellow-brokers--no--no (Aloud) Adolphe, you may marry my daughter.

Minard Oh! Sir--Julie--my own Julie--

Mercadet That is, of course, as soon as she has three hundred thousand francs as dowry.

Mme. Mercadet My dear!

Julie Papa!

Minard Ah, sir! How long are you going to put me off?

Mercadet Put you off? She will have it in a month! Perhaps sooner--

All How is that?

Mercadet Yes, by the use of my brains--and a little money. (Minard holds out his pocket-book.) But lock up those bills! And come, take away my wife and daughter. I want to be alone.

Mme. Mercadet (aside) Is he going to hatch some plot against his creditors? I must find out.

Come, Julie.

Julie Papa, how good you are!

Mercadet Nonsense!

Julie I love you so much.

Mercadet Nonsense!

Julie Adolphe, I do not thank you, I shall have all my life for that.

Minard Dearest Julie!

Mercadet (leading them out) Come, now, you had better breathe out your idyls in some more retired spot.

(They go out.)

SCENE THIRD

Mercadet, then De la Brive.

Mercadet I have resisted--it was a good impulse! But I was wrong to obey it. If I finally yield to the temptation, I can make their little capital worth very much more. I shall manage this fortune for them. My poor daughter has indeed a good lover. What hearts of gold are theirs! Dear children! (Goes towards the door at the right.) I must make their fortune. De la Brive is here awaiting me. (Looking through the open door) I believe he is asleep. I gave him a little too much wine, so as to handle him more easily. (Shouting) Michonnin! The constable! The constable!

De la Brive (coming out, rubbing his eyes) h.e.l.lo! What are you saying?

Mercadet Don't be frightened, I only wanted to wake you up. (Takes his seat at the table.)