Part 19 (2/2)
De la Brive (sitting at the other side of the table) Sir, an orgie acts on the mind like a storm on the country. It brings on refreshment, it clothes with verdure! And ideas spring forth and bloom! /In vino varietas/!
Mercadet Yesterday, our conversation on business matters was interrupted.
De la Brive Father-in-law, I recall it distinctly--we recognized the fact that our houses could not keep their engagements. We were on the point of bankruptcy, and you are unfortunate enough to be my creditor, while I am fortunate enough to be your debtor by the amount of forty-seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs and some centimes.
Mercadet Your head is level enough.
De la Brive But my pocket and my conscience are a little out. Yet who can reproach me? By squandering my fortune I have brought profit to every trade in Paris, and even to those who do not know me. We, the useless ones! We, the idlers! Upon my soul! It is we who keep up the circulation of money--
Mercadet By means of the money in circulation. Ah! you have all your wits about you!
De la Brive But I have nothing else.
Mercadet Our wits are our mint. Is it not so? But, considering your present situation, I shall be brief.
De la Brive That is why I take a seat.
Mercadet Listen to me. I see that you are going down the steep way which leads to that daring cleverness for which fools blame successful operators.
You have tasted the piquant intoxicating fruits of Parisian pleasure.
You have made luxury the inseparable companion of your life. Paris begins at the Place de l'Etoile, and ends at the Jockey Club. That is your Paris, which is the world of women who are talked about too much, or not at all.
De la Brive That is true.
Mercadet You breathe the cynical atmosphere of wits and journalists, the atmosphere of the theatre and of the ministry. It is a vast sea in which thousands are casting their nets! You must either continue this existence, or blow your brains out!
De la Brive No! For it is impossible to think that it can continue without me.
Mercadet Do you feel that you have the genius to maintain yourself in style at the height to which you aspire? To dominate men of mind by the power of capital and superiority of intellect? Do you think that you will always have skill enough to keep afloat between the two capes, which have seen the life of elegance so often founder between the cheap restaurant and the debtors' prison?
De la Brive Why! You are breaking into my conscience like a burglar--you echo my very thought! What do you want with me?
Mercadet I wish to rescue you, by launching you into the world of business.
De la Brive By what entrance?
Mercadet Let me choose the door.
De la Brive The devil!
Mercadet Show yourself a man who will compromise himself for me--
De la Brive But men of straw may be burnt.
Mercadet You must be incombustible.
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