Mercadet (severely) That will do, all of you.  And remember that from this time forth I see all who call.  Treat no one either with insolence or too much humility, for you will meet here no creditors, but such as have been paid.

Justin
Oh, bosh!

Mercadet
Go!

(The central door opens.  Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Minard appear.  The servants leave the room.)

Scenesecond

Mercadet, Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Minard.

Mercadet (aside) I am annoyed to see my wife and daughter here.  In my present circumstances, women are likely to spoil everything, for they have nerves. (Aloud) What is it, Mme. Mercadet?

Mme. Mercadet Sir, you were counting on the marriage of Julie to establish your credit and reassure your creditors, but the event of yesterday has put you at their mercy—­

Mercadet
Do you think so?  Well, you are quite mistaken.  I beg your pardon, M.
Minard, but what brings you here?

Minard
Sir—­I—­

Julie
Father—­it is—­

Mercadet
Are you come to ask again for my daughter?

Minard
Yes, sir.

Mercadet
But everybody says that I am going to fail—­

Minard
I know it, sir.

Mercadet
And would you marry the daughter of a bankrupt?

Minard
Yes, for I would work to re-establish him.

Julie
That’s good, Adolphe.

Mercadet (aside)
A fine young fellow.  I will give him an interest in the first big
business I do.

Minard
I have made known my attachment to the man I look upon as a father.  He
has informed me—­that I am the possessor of a small fortune—­

Mercadet
A fortune!

Minard When I was confided to his care, a sum of money was entrusted to him, which has increased by interest, and I now possess thirty thousand francs.

Mercadet
Thirty thousand francs!

Minard On learning of the disaster that had befallen you, I realized this sum, and I bring it to you, sir; for sometimes in these cases an arrangement can be made by paying something on account—­

Mme. Mercadet
He has an excellent heart!

Julie (with pride)
Yes, indeed, papa!

Mercadet Thirty thousand francs. (Aside) They might be tripled by buying some of Verdelin’s stock and then doubled with—­ No, no. (To Minard) My boy, you are at the age of self-sacrifice.  If I could pay two hundred francs with thirty thousand, the fortune of France, of myself and of most people would be made.  No, keep your money!

Minard
What!  You refuse it?

Mercadet (aside) If with this I could keep them quiet for a month, if by some bold stoke I could revive the depression in my property, it might be all right.  But the money of these poor children, it cuts me to the heart to think of it, for when they are in tears people calculate amiss; it is not well to risk the money of any but fellow-brokers—­no—­no (Aloud) Adolphe, you may marry my daughter.