Part 23 (1/2)

SCENE SEVENTH

The same persons and Mme. Mercadet.

Mme. Mercadet (entering from the left) Mercadet! My dear!

Mercadet (aside) It is my wife. I thought that she had gone out. She is going to ruin everything!

Mme. Mercadet My dear! I see that you don't know what has happened?

Mercadet I? No, I don't--if I--

Mme. Mercadet G.o.deau is returned.

Mercadet Ah! You say? (Aside) I wonder if she suspects--

Mme. Mercadet I have seen him--I have spoken to him. It was I who saw him first.

Mercadet (aside) De la Brive has won her over! What a man he is! (To Mme. Mercadet, low) Good, my dear wife, good! You will be our salvation.

Mme. Mercadet But you don't understand me, it is really he, it is--

Mercadet (in a low voice) Hus.h.!.+ (Aloud) I must--gentlemen--I must go and welcome him.

Mme. Mercadet No--wait, wait a little, my dear; poor G.o.deau has overtaxed his strength--scarcely had he reached my apartment when fatigue, excitement and a nervous attack overcame him--

Mercadet Really! (Aside) How well she does it!

Violette Poor G.o.deau!

Mme. Mercadet ”Madame,” he said to me, ”go and see your husband. Bring me back his pardon; I do not wish to see him face to face, until I have repaired the past.”

Goulard That was fine.

Pierquin It was sublime.

Violette It melts me to tears, gentlemen, it melts me to tears.

Mercadet (aside) Look at that! Well! There's a woman worth calling a wife! (Taking her by the hand) My darling-- Excuse me, gentlemen. (He kisses her on both cheeks. In a low voice) Things are going on finely.

Mme. Mercadet (in a low voice) How lucky this is, my dear! Better than anything you could have fancied.

Mercadet I should think so. (Aside) It is very much better. (Aloud) Go and look after him, my dear. And you, gentlemen, be good enough to pa.s.s into my office. (He points to the left.) Wait there till we settle our accounts.

(Mme. Mercadet goes out.)

Goulard I am at your service, my friend--