Part 21 (1/2)

De la Brive But, madame, I cannot pay them--

Mme. Mercadet We will be satisfied with your word, and you will discharge your obligation as soon as you have honestly made your fortune.

De la Brive Honestly! That will be perhaps a long time to wait.

Mme. Mercadet We will be patient. And now, sir, go and inform my husband that he must give up this attempt because he will not have your co-operation.

(She goes towards the door on the left.)

De la Brive I should be rather afraid to face him-- I should prefer to write to him.

Mme. Mercadet (pointing out to him the door by which he entered) You will find the necessary writing materials in that room. Remain there until I come for your letter. I will hand it to him myself.

De la Brive I will do so, madame. After all I am not so worthless as I thought I was. It is you who have taught me this; you have a right to the whole credit of it. (He respectfully kisses her hand.) Thank you, madame, thank you! (He goes out.)

Mme. Mercadet I have succeeded--if only I could now persuade Mercadet.

Justin (entering from the center) Madame--madame--here they are--all of them.

Mme. Mercadet Who?

Justin The creditors.

Mme. Mercadet Already?

Justin There are a great many of them, madame.

Mme. Mercadet Let them come in here. I will go and inform my husband.

(Mme. Mercadet goes out by one door. Justin opens the other.)

SCENE FIFTH

Pierquin, Goulard, Violette and several other creditors.

Goulard Gentlemen, we have quite made up our minds, have we not?

All We have, we have--

Pierquin No more deluding promises.

Goulard No more prayers and expostulations.

Violette No more pretended payments on account, thrown out as a bait to get deeper into our pockets.

SCENE SIXTH

The same persons and Mercadet.