Curtain to the First Act.

ActII

Scenefirst

(Mercadet’s study, containing book-shelves, a safe, a desk, an armchair and a sofa.)

Minard and Justin, then Julie.

Minard
Did you say that M. Mercadet wished to speak with me?

Justin
Yes, sir.  But mademoiselle has requested that you await her here.

Minard (aside)
Her father asks to see me.  She wishes to speak to me before the
interview.  Something extraordinary must have happened.

Justin
Mademoiselle is here.

(Enter Julie.)

Minard (going towards her)
Mlle. Julie!

Julie Justin, inform my father that the gentleman has arrived. (Exit Justin.) If you wish, Adolphe, that our love should shine as bright in the sight of all as it does in our hearts, be as courageous as I have already been.

Minard
What has taken place?

Julie
A rich young suitor has presented himself, and my father is acting
without any pity for us.

Minard
A rival!  And you ask me if I have any courage!  Tell me his name,
Julie, and you will soon know whether I have any courage.

Julie
Adolphe!  You make me shudder!  Is this the way in which you are going
to act with the hope of bending my father?

Minard (seeing Mercadet approach)
Here he comes.

Scenesecond

The same persons and Mercadet.

Mercadet Sir, are you in love with my daughter?

Minard
Yes, sir.

Mercadet
That is, at least, what she believes, and you seem to have had the
talent to persuade her that it is so.

Minard Your manner of expressing yourself implies a doubt on your part, which in any one else would have been offensive to me.  Why should I not love mademoiselle?  Abandoned by my parents, it was from your daughter, sir, that I have learned for the first time the happiness of affection.  Mlle. Julie is at the same time a sister and a friend to me.  She is my whole family.  She alone has smiled upon me and has encouraged me; and my love for her is beyond what language can express!

Julie
Must I remain here, father?

Mercadet (to his daughter) Swallow it all! (To Minard) Sir, with regard to the love of young people I have those positive ideas which are considered peculiar to old men.  My distrust of such love is all the more permissible because I am not the father blinded by paternal affection.  I see Julie exactly as she is; without being absolutely plain, she has none of that beauty that makes people cry out, “See!” She is quite mediocre.

Minard
You are mistaken, sir; I venture to say that you do not know your
daughter.

Mercadet
Permit me—­

Minard
You do not know her, sir.