De la Brive
Three thousand acres, without a break.

Mercadet
Without a break?

Mericourt
Did I not tell you as much?

Mercadet
I never doubted it.

De la Brive
A chateau—­

Mercadet
Good—­

De la Brive
And salt marshes, which can be worked as soon as the administration
gives permission.  They would yield enormous returns!

Mercadet
Ah, sir, why have we been so late in becoming acquainted!  Your land,
then, must be on the seashore.

De la Brive
Without half a league of it.

Mercadet
And it is situated?

De la Brive
Near Bordeaux.

Mercadet
You have vineyards, then?

De la Brive No! fortunately not, for the disposal of wines is a troublesome matter, and, moreover, the cultivation of the vine is exceedingly expensive.  My estate was planted with pine trees by my grandfather, a man of genius, who was wise enough to sacrifice himself to the welfare of his descendants.  Besides, I have furniture, which you know—­

Mercadet
Sir, one moment, a man of business is always careful to dot his i’s.

De la Brive (under his voice)
Now we’re in for it!

Mercadet With regard to your estate and your marshes,—­I see all that can be got out of these marshes.  The best way of utilizing them would be to form a company for the exploitation of the marshes of the Brive!  There is more than a million in it!

De la Brive
I quite understand that, sir.  They need only to be thrown upon the
market.

Mercadet (aside)
These words indicate a certain intelligence in this young man. (Aloud)
Have you any debts?  Is your estate mortgaged?

Mericourt
You would not think much of my friend if he had not debts.

De la Brive
I will be frank, sir, there is a mortgage of forty-five thousand
francs on my estate.

Mercadet (aside)
An innocent young man! he might easily—­ (Rising from his seat.  Aloud)
You have my consent; you shall be my son-in-law, and are the very man
I would choose for my daughter’s husband.  You do not realize what a
fortune you possess.

De la Brive (to Mericourt)
This is almost too good to be true.

Mericourt (to De la Brive)
He is dazzled by the good speculation which he sees ahead.

Mercadet (aside) With government protection, which can be purchased, salt pits may be established.  I am saved! (Aloud) Allow me to shake hands with you, after the English fashion.  You fulfill all that I expected in a son-in-law.  I plainly see you have none of the narrowness of provincial land-holders; we shall understand each other thoroughly.

De la Brive
You must not take it in bad part, sir, if I, on my part, ask you—­