Are you satisfied?

De la Brive (to Mericourt)
I don't see the money for my debts.

Mericourt (to De la Brive)
Wait a moment. (To Mercadet) My friend does not dare to tell you of
it, but he is too honest for concealment. He has a few debts.

Mercadet
Oh, please tell me. I understand perfectly--I suppose it is about
fifty thousand you owe?

Mericourt
Very nearly--

De la Brive
Very nearly--

Mercadet
A mere trifle.

De la Brive (laughing)
Yes, a mere trifle!

Mercadet
They will serve as a subject of discussion between your wife and you;
yes, let her have the pleasure of-- But, we will pay them all. (Aside)
In shares of the La Brive salt pits. (Aloud) It is so small an amount.
(Aside) We will put up the capital of the salt marsh a hundred
thousand francs more. (Aloud) The matter is settled, son-in-law.

De la Brive
We will consider it settled, father-in-law.

Mercadet (aside)
I am saved!

De la Brive (aside)
I am saved!

SCENE SIXTH

The same persons, Mme. Mercadet and Julie.

Mercadet
Here are my wife and daughter.

Mericourt
Madame, allow me to present to you my friend, M. de la Brive, who
regards your daughter with--

De la Brive
With passionate admiration.

Mercadet
My daughter is exactly the woman to suit a politician.

De la Brive (to Mericourt. Gazing at Julie through his eyeglass)
A fine girl. (To Madame Mercadet) Like mother, like daughter. Madame,
I place my hopes under your protection.

Mme. Mercadet
Anyone introduced by M. Mericourt would be welcome here.

Julie (to her father)
What a coxcomb!

Mercadet (to his daughter)
He is enormously rich. We shall all be millionaires! He is an
excessively clever fellow. Now, do try and be amiable, as you ought to
be.

Julie (answering him)
What would you wish me to say to a dandy whom I have just seen for the
first time, and whom you destine for my husband?

De la Brive
May I be permitted to hope, mademoiselle, that you will look favorably
upon me?

Julie
My duty is to obey my father.

De la Brive
Young people are not always aware of the feelings which they inspire.
For two months I have been longing for the happiness of paying my
respects to you.

Julie
Who can be more flattered than I am, sir, to find that I have
attracted your attention?

Mme. Mercadet (to Mericourt)
He is a fine fellow. (Aloud) We hope that you and your friend M. de la
Brive will do us the pleasure of acce