was so stupid. (To
Goulard) She has ended by becoming a daring speculator. (To his wife)
I may tell you, my dear, that Goulard is going to invest a large sum
in our great enterprise.

Mme. Mercadet (ashamed)
Sir!

Mercadet
What a misfortune it will be if it does not turn out well.

Goulard
Mercadet!--Are you talking about the Basse-Indre mines?

Mercadet
Of course I am. (Aside) Ah! You have some of the Basse-Indre stock, I
see.

Goulard
But the investment seems to me first-class.

Mercadet
First-class--Yes, for those who sold out yesterday.

Goulard
Have any stockholders sold out?

Mercadet
Yes, privately.

Goulard
Good-bye. Thanks, Mercadet; madame, accept my respects.

Mercadet (stopping him)
Goulard!

Goulard
Eh?

Mercadet
What about this note to Delannoy?

Goulard
I will speak to him about the postponement--

Mercadet
No; write to him; and in the meantime I will find some one who will
buy your stock.

Goulard (sitting down)
All my Basse-Indre? (He takes up a pen.)

Mercadet (aside)
Here you see the honest man, ever ready to rob his neighbor. (Aloud)
Very well, write--ordering a postponement of three months.

Goulard (writing)
Three months! There you have it.

Mercadet
The man I allude to, who buys in secret for fear of causing a rise,
wants to get three hundred shares; do you happen to have three
hundred?

Goulard
I have three hundred and fifty.

Mercadet
Fifty more! Never mind! He'll take them all. (Examining what Goulard
has written.) Have you mentioned the thousand crowns?

Goulard
And what is your friend's name?

Mercadet
His name? You haven't mentioned?--

Goulard
His name!

Mercadet
The thousand crowns.

Goulard
What a devil of a man he is! (He writes.) There, you have it!

Mercadet
His name is Pierquin.

Goulard (rising)
Pierquin.

Mercadet
He at least is the nominal buyer.--Go to your house and I will send
him to you; it is never a good thing to run after a purchaser.

Goulard
Never!--You have saved my life. Good-bye, my friend. Madame, accept my
prayers for the happiness of your daughter. (Exit.)

Mercadet
One of them captured! Now watch me get the others!

SCENE SEVENTH

Mme. Mercadet, Mercadet, then Julie.

Mme. Mercadet
Is there any truth in what you just now said? I could not quite follow
you.

Mercadet
It is to the interest of my friend Verdelin to cause a panic in Basse-
Indre stock; this s