De la Brive I will do so, madame.  After all I am not so worthless as I thought I was.  It is you who have taught me this; you have a right to the whole credit of it. (He respectfully kisses her hand.) Thank you, madame, thank you! (He goes out.)

Mme. Mercadet
I have succeeded—­if only I could now persuade Mercadet.

Justin (entering from the center)
Madame—­madame—­here they are—­all of them.

Mme. Mercadet
Who?

Justin
The creditors.

Mme. Mercadet
Already?

Justin
There are a great many of them, madame.

Mme. Mercadet
Let them come in here.  I will go and inform my husband.

(Mme. Mercadet goes out by one door.  Justin opens the other.)

Scenefifth

Pierquin, Goulard, Violette and several other creditors.

Goulard
Gentlemen, we have quite made up our minds, have we not?

All
We have, we have—­

Pierquin
No more deluding promises.

Goulard
No more prayers and expostulations.

Violette
No more pretended payments on account, thrown out as a bait to get
deeper into our pockets.

Scenesixth

The same persons and Mercadet.

Mercadet
And do you mean to tell me that you gentlemen are come to force me
into bankruptcy?

Goulard
We shall do so, unless you find means to pay us in full this very day.

Mercadet
To-day!

Pierquin
This very day.

Mercadet (standing before the fireplace)
Do you think that I possess the plates for striking off Bank of France
notes?

Violette
You mean that you have no offer to make?

Mercadet Absolutely none!  And you are going to lock me up?  I warn him who is going to pay for the cab that he won’t be reimbursed from any assets of mine.

Goulard
I shall add that along with all that you owe me to the debit of your
account—­

Mercadet
Thank you.  You’ve all made up your mind, I suppose?

The Creditors
We have.

Mercadet I am touched by your unanimity! (pulling out his watch) Two o’clock.  (Aside) De la Brive has had quite time enough—­he ought to be on his way here. (Aloud) Gentlemen, you compel me to admit that you are men of inspiration and have chosen your time well!

Pierquin
What does he mean?

Mercadet For months, for years, you have allowed yourselves to be humbugged by fine promises, and deceived—­yes, deceived by preposterous stories; and to-day is the day you choose for showing yourselves inexorable!  Upon my word and honor, it is positively amusing!  By all means let us start for Clichy.

Goulard
But, sir—­

Pierquin
He is laughing.

Violette (rising from his chair)
There is something in the wind.  Gentlemen, there is something in the
wind!