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 accepting our invitation to dine
without ceremony?

Mercadet
To take pot-luck with us. (To De la Brive) You must excuse our
simplicity.

Justin (entering, in a low voice to Mercadet)
M. Pierquin wishes to speak to you, monsieur.

Mercadet (low)
Pierquin?

Justin
He says it is concerning an important and urgent matter.

Mercadet What can he want with me?  Let him come in. (Justin goes out.  Aloud) My dear, these gentlemen must be tired.  Won’t you take them into the drawing-room?  M. de la Brive, give my daughter you arm.

De la Brive
Mademoiselle—­ (offers her his arm)

Julie (aside)
He is handsome, he is rich—­why does he choose me?

Mme. Mercadet
M. de Mericourt, will you come and see the picture which we are going
to raffle off for the benefit of the poor orphans?

Mericourt
With pleasure, madame.

Mercadet
Go on.  I shall be with you in a moment.

Sceneseventh

Mercadet (alone) Well, after all, this time I have really secured fortune and the happiness of Julie and the rest of us.  For a son-in-law like this is a veritable gold mine!  Three thousand acres!  A chateau!  Salt marshes!  (He sits down at his desk.)

Pierquin (entering)
Good-day, Mercadet.  I have come—­

Mercadet
Rather inopportunely.  But what do you wish?

Pierquin I sha’n’t detain you long.  The bills of exchange I gave you this morning, signed by a man called Michonnin, are absolutely valueless.  I told you this beforehand.