back life to me.

Mercadet
Well, I suppose that is true, but so much the better, for I am very
fond of you. You are simple, honorable. I am touched, I am delighted.
I am even charmed. Ah! Let me once get hold of my six hundred thousand
francs and--(Sees Pierquin enter) Here they come--

SCENE ELEVENTH

The same persons, Pierquin and Verdelin.

Mercadet (leading Pierquin to the front of the stage without perceiving
Verdelin)
Is it all right?

Pierquin (in some embarrassment)
It is all right. The stock is ours.

Mercadet (joyfully)
Bravo!

Verdelin (approaching Mercadet)
Good-day!

Mercadet
What! Verdelin--

Verdelin
I find out that you have bought the stock before me, and that now I
shall have to pay very much higher than I expected; but it is all
right, it was well managed, and I am compelled to cry, "Hail to the
King of the Exchange, Hail to the Napoleon of Finance!" (He laughs
derisively.)

Mercadet (somewhat abashed)
What does he mean?

Verdelin
I'm only repeating what you said yesterday--

Mercadet
What I said?

Pierquin
The fact of it is, Verdelin does not believe in the return of Godeau--

Minard
Ah, sir!

Mercadet
Is there any doubt about it?

Verdelin (ironically)
Doubt about it! There is more than doubt about it. I at once concluded
that this so-called return was the bold stroke that you spoke of
yesterday.

Mercadet
I--(Aside) Stupid of me!

Verdelin
I concluded that, relying upon the presence of this fictitious Godeau,
you made purchases with the idea of paying on the rise, which would
follow to-morrow, and that to-day you have actually not a single sou--

Mercadet
You had imagined all that?

Verdelin (approaching the fireplace)
Yes, but when I saw outside that triumphal post-chaise--that model of
Indian manufacture, and I realized that it was impossible to find such
a vehicle in the Champs-Elysees, all my doubts disappeared and-- But
hand him over the bonds, M. Pierquin!

Pierquin
The--bonds--it happens that--

Mercadet (aside)
I must bluff, or I am lost! (Aloud) Certainly, produce the bonds.

Pierquin
One moment--if what this gentleman has said is true--

Mercadet (haughtily)
M. Pierquin!

Minard
But, gentlemen--M. Godeau is here--I have seen him--I have talked with
him.

Mercadet (to Pierquin)
He has talked with him, sir.

Pierquin (to Verdelin)
The fact of it is, I have seen him myself.

Verdelin
I don't doubt