d arrival of Godeau.
And I gain eight days, which means fifteen, with regard to actual
payment. I shall buy three hundred thousand francs' worth of Basse-
Indre before Verdelin. And when Verdelin asks for some of that stock,
he will find it has risen, for a demand will have raised it above the
current quotation, and I shall make at one stroke six hundred thousand
francs. With three hundred thousand I will pay my creditors and show
myself a Napoleon of finance. (He struts up and down.)

Justin (from the back of the stage)
Sir--

Mercadet
What is it--what do you want, Justin?

Justin
Sir--

Mercadet
Go on! Tell me.

Justin
M. Violette has offered me sixty francs if I will let him speak with
M. Godeau.

Mercadet
Sixty francs. (Aside) He fleeced me out of them.

Justin
I am sure, sir, that you wouldn't like me to lose such a present.

Mercadet
Let him have his way with you.

Justin
Ah! sir, but--M. Goulard also--and the others--

Mercadet
Do as you like--I give them over into your hands. Fleece them well!

Justin
I'll do my best. Thank you, sir.

Mercadet
Let them all see Godeau. (Aside) De la Brive is well able to look
after himself. (Aloud) But, between ourselves, keep Pierquin away.
(Aside) He would recognize his dear friend, Michonnin.

Justin
I understand, sir. Ah! here is M. Minard. (Exit.)

SCENE TENTH

Mercadet and Minard.

Minard (coming forward)
Ah, sir!

Mercadet
Well, M. Minard, and what brings you here?

Minard
Despair.

Mercadet
Despair?

Minard
M. Godeau has come back; and they say that you are now a millionaire!

Mercadet
Is that the cause of your despair?

Minard
Yes, sir.

Mercadet
Well, you are a strange fellow! I disclose to you the fact of my ruin
and you are delighted. You learn that good fortune has returned to me
and you are overwhelmed with despair! And all the while you wish to
enter into my family! Yet you act like my enemy--

Minard
It is just my love that makes your good fortune so alarming to me; I
fear all the while that you will now refuse me the hand--

Mercadet
Of Julie? My dear Adolphe, all men of business have not put their
heart in their money-bags. Our sentiments are not always to be
reckoned by debit and credit. You offered me the thirty thousand
francs that you possessed--I certainly have no right to reject you on
account of certain millions. (Aside) Which I do not possess!

Minard
You bring