Part 27 (1/2)

SCENE FOURTEENTH

The same persons, Mme. Mercadet, Julie (entering at one side) and De la Brive (entering at the other side).

Mme. Mercadet My friend, M. G.o.deau, feels himself strong enough to see you all.

Mercadet Come, daughter, wife, Adolphe, and my other friends, gather round me, look at me. I know you would not deceive me.

Julie What is the matter, father?

Mercadet Tell me (seeing De la Brive come in) Michonnin, tell me frankly--

De la Brive Luckily for me, sir, I followed the advice of madame--otherwise you would have had two G.o.deaus at a time, for heaven has brought back to you the genuine man.

Mercadet You mean to say then--that he has really returned!

Verdelin Do you mean to say that you didn't know it after all?

Mercadet (recovering himself, standing before the table and touching the notes) I--of course I did. Oh, fortune, all hail to thee, queen of monarchs, archd.u.c.h.ess of loans, princess of stocks and mother of credit! All hail! Thou long sought for, and now for the thousandth time come home to us from the Indies! Oh! I've always said that G.o.deau had a mind of tireless energy and an honest heart! (Going up to his wife and daughter) Kiss me!

Mme. Mercadet (in tears) Ah! dear, dear husband!

Mercadet (supporting her) And you, what courage you have shown in adversity!

Mme. Mercadet But I am overcome by the happiness of seeing you saved--wealthy!