Verdelin
If she had lived, I should never have married.

Mercadet
Because you know what love is, that you do!  So I may count upon you
for dinner, and you give me your word of honor that you will send me—­

Verdelin
The plate?

Mercadet
And the thousand crowns—­

Verdelin
Ah!  You still harp upon that!  I have told you I cannot do it.

Mercadet (aside) It is certain that this fellow will never die of heart failure.  (Aloud) And so it seems I am to be murdered by my best friend?  Alas!  It is always thus!  You are actually untouched by the memory of Clarissa—­and by the despair of a father! (He cries out towards the chamber of his wife.) Ah! it is all over!  I am in despair!  I am going to blow my brains out!

Scenethirteenth

The same persons, Mme. Mercadet and Julie.

Mme. Mercadet
What on earth is the matter with you, my dear?

Julie
How your voice frightened us, papa!

Mercadet They heard us!  See how they come, like two guardian angels! (He takes them by the hand.) Ah! you melt my heart! (To Verdelin) Verdelin!  Do you wish to slay a whole family?  This proof of their tenderness gives me courage to fall at your feet.

Julie Oh, sir! (She checks her father.) It is I who will implore you for him.  Whatever may be his demand, do not refuse my father; he must, indeed, be in the most terrible anguish!

Mercadet
Dear child! (Aside) In what accents does she speak!  I couldn’t speak
so naturally as that.

Mme. Mercadet
M. Verdelin, listen to us—­

Verdelin (to Julie)
You don’t know what he is asking, do you?

Julie
No.

Verdelin
He is asking for a thousand crowns, in order to arrange your marriage.

Julie
Then, forget, sir, all that I said to you; I do not wish for a
marriage which has been purchased by the humiliation of my father.

Mercadet (aside)
She is magnificent!

Verdelin
Julie!  I will go at once and get the money for you. (Exit.)

SceneFourteenth

The same persons, except Verdelin; then the servants.

Julie
Oh, father!  Why did you not tell me?

Mercadet (kissing her)
You have saved us all!  Ah! when shall I be so rich and powerful that I
may make him repent of a favor done so grudgingly?

Mme. Mercadet
Do not be unjust; Verdelin yielded to your request.

Mercadet
He yielded to the cry of Julie, not to my request.  Ah! my dear, he has
extorted from me more than a thousand crowns’ worth of humiliation!

Justin (coming in with Therese and Virginie)
The tradespeople.

Virginie
The milliner and the dressmaker—­

Therese
And the dry-goods merchants.

Mercadet That is all right!  I have succeeded in my scheme!  My daughter shall be Comtesse de la Brive! (To the servants) Show them in!  I am waiting, and the money is ready. (He goes proudly towards his study, while the servants look at him with surprise.)