Minard
Oh!  Sir—­Julie—­my own Julie—­

Mercadet
That is, of course, as soon as she has three hundred thousand francs
as dowry.

Mme. Mercadet
My dear!

Julie
Papa!

Minard
Ah, sir!  How long are you going to put me off?

Mercadet
Put you off?  She will have it in a month!  Perhaps sooner—­

All
How is that?

Mercadet Yes, by the use of my brains—­and a little money. (Minard holds out his pocket-book.) But lock up those bills!  And come, take away my wife and daughter.  I want to be alone.

Mme. Mercadet (aside)
Is he going to hatch some plot against his creditors?  I must find out. 
Come, Julie.

Julie
Papa, how good you are!

Mercadet
Nonsense!

Julie
I love you so much.

Mercadet
Nonsense!

Julie
Adolphe, I do not thank you, I shall have all my life for that.

Minard
Dearest Julie!

Mercadet (leading them out)
Come, now, you had better breathe out your idyls in some more retired
spot.

(They go out.)

Scenethird

Mercadet, then De la Brive.

Mercadet I have resisted—­it was a good impulse!  But I was wrong to obey it.  If I finally yield to the temptation, I can make their little capital worth very much more.  I shall manage this fortune for them.  My poor daughter has indeed a good lover.  What hearts of gold are theirs!  Dear children! (Goes towards the door at the right.) I must make their fortune.  De la Brive is here awaiting me. (Looking through the open door) I believe he is asleep.  I gave him a little too much wine, so as to handle him more easily. (Shouting) Michonnin!  The constable!  The constable!

De la Brive (coming out, rubbing his eyes)
Hello!  What are you saying?

Mercadet
Don’t be frightened, I only wanted to wake you up. (Takes his seat at
the table.)

De la Brive (sitting at the other side of the table) Sir, an orgie acts on the mind like a storm on the country.  It brings on refreshment, it clothes with verdure!  And ideas spring forth and bloom! In vino varietas!

Mercadet
Yesterday, our conversation on business matters was interrupted.

De la Brive Father-in-law, I recall it distinctly—­we recognized the fact that our houses could not keep their engagements.  We were on the point of bankruptcy, and you are unfortunate enough to be my creditor, while I am fortunate enough to be your debtor by the amount of forty-seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs and some centimes.

Mercadet
Your head is level enough.

De la Brive But my pocket and my conscience are a little out.  Yet who can reproach me?  By squandering my fortune I have brought profit to every trade in Paris, and even to those who do not know me.  We, the useless ones!  We, the idlers!  Upon my soul!  It is we who keep up the circulation of money—­