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.)

SCENE SECOND

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 a