Mercadet The amount of my daughter’s fortune?  I should have distrusted you if you hadn’t asked!  My daughter has independent means; her mother settles on her her own fortune, consisting of a small property—­a farm of two hundred acres, but in the very heart of Brie, and provided with good buildings.  Besides this, I shall give her two hundred thousand francs, the interest of which will be for your use, until you find a suitable investment for it.  So you see, young man, we do not wish to deceive you, we wish to keep the money moving; I like you, you please me, for I see you have ambition.

De la Brive
Yes, sir.

Mercadet
You love luxury, extravagance; you wish to shine at Paris—­

De la Brive
Yes, sir.

Mercadet You see that I am already an old man, obliged to lay the load of my ambition upon some congenial co-operator, and you shall be the one to play the brilliant part.

De la Brive
Sir, had I been obliged to take my choice of all the fathers-in-law in
Paris, I should have given the preference to you.  You are a man after
my own heart!  Allow me to shake hands, after the English fashion! 
(They shake hands for the second time.)

Mercadet (aside)
It seems too good to be true.

De la Brive (aside)
He fell head-first into my salt marshes!

Mercadet (aside)
He accepts an income from me!

(Mercadet retires towards the door on the left side.)

Mericourt (to De la Brive)
Are you satisfied?

De la Brive (to Mericourt)
I don’t see the money for my debts.

Mericourt (to De la Brive)
Wait a moment. (To Mercadet) My friend does not dare to tell you of
it, but he is too honest for concealment.  He has a few debts.

Mercadet
Oh, please tell me.  I understand perfectly—­I suppose it is about
fifty thousand you owe?

Mericourt
Very nearly—­

De la Brive
Very nearly—­

Mercadet
A mere trifle.

De la Brive (laughing)
Yes, a mere trifle!

Mercadet They will serve as a subject of discussion between your wife and you; yes, let her have the pleasure of—­ But, we will pay them all. (Aside) In shares of the La Brive salt pits. (Aloud) It is so small an amount.  (Aside) We will put up the capital of the salt marsh a hundred thousand francs more. (Aloud) The matter is settled, son-in-law.

De la Brive
We will consider it settled, father-in-law.

Mercadet (aside)
I am saved!

De la Brive (aside)
I am saved!

Scenesixth

The same persons, Mme. Mercadet and Julie.

Mercadet Here are my wife and daughter.

Mericourt
Madame, allow me to present to you my friend, M. de la Brive, who
regards your daughter with—­

De la Brive
With passionate admiration.