Verdelin (taking a seat)
A thousand crowns!  But what purpose would you apply them to?

Mercadet (aside) I shall get them. (Aloud) My dear fellow, a son-in-law is a bird who is easily frightened away.  The absence of one piece of lace on a dress reveals everything to them.  The ladies’ costumes are ordered, the merchants are on the point of delivering them—­yes, I was rash enough to say that I would pay for everything, for I counted on you!  Verdelin, a thousand crowns won’t kill you, for you have sixty thousand francs a year.  And the life of a young girl of whom you are fond is now at stake—­for you are fond of Julie!  She has a sincere attachment for your little girl, they play together like the happiest of creatures.  Would you let the companion of your daughter pine away with despair?  Misfortune is contagious!  It brings evil on all around!

Verdelin My dear fellow, I have not a thousand crowns.  I can lend you my plate; but I have not—­

Mercadet
You can give me your note on the bank.  It is soon signed—­

Verdelin (rising)
I—­no—­

Mercadet Ah! my poor daughter!  It is all over. (Falls back overcome in an armchair near the table.) God forgive me, if I put an end to the painful dream of life, and let me awaken in Thy bosom!

Verdelin (after a short silence)
But—­ Have you really found a son-in-law?

Mercadet (rising abruptly to his feet) You ask if I have found a son-in-law!  You actually throw a doubt upon this!  You may refuse me, if you like, the means of effecting the happiness of my daughter, but do not insult me!  I am fallen low indeed!  O Verdelin!  I would not for a thousand crowns have had such an idea of you, and you can never win absolution from me excepting by giving them.

Verdelin (wishing to leave)
I must go and see if I can—­

Mercadet No!  This is only another way of refusing me!  Can I believe it?  Will not you whom I have seen spend the same sum upon some such trifle as a passing love affair—­will you not apply the thousand crowns to the performance of a good action?

Verdelin (laughing)
At the present time there are very few good actions, or transactions.

Mercadet
Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  How witty!  You are laughing, I see there is a reaction!

Verdelin
Ha!  Ha!  Ha! (He drops his hat.)

Mercadet (picking up the hat and dusting it with his sleeve) Come now, old fellow.  Haven’t we seen life!  We two began it together.  What a lot of things we have said and done!  Don’t you recollect the good old time when we swore to be friends always through thick and thin?

Verdelin
Indeed, I do.  And don’t you recollect our party at Rambouillet, where
I fought an officer of the Guard on your account?

Mercadet I thought it was for the lovely Clarissa!  Ah!  But we were gay!  We were young!  And to-day we have our daughters, daughters old enough to marry!  If Clarissa were alive now, she would blame your hesitation!