Excuse me, madame.

Mme. Mercadet
Yes, sir, prove your salvation and that of my husband; for both of you
are on the way to ruin. For you must understand that debts are no
disgrace to any one who admits them and toils for their payment. You
have your whole life before you, and you have too much good sense to
wish that it should be blighted through engaging in a business which
justice is sure to punish.

De la Brive
Justice! Ah! You are right, madame, and I certainly would not lend
myself to this dangerous comedy, unless your husband had some notes of
hand of mine--

Mme. Mercadet
Which he will surrender to you, sir, I'll promise you that.

De la Brive
But, madame, I cannot pay them--

Mme. Mercadet
We will be satisfied with your word, and you will discharge your
obligation as soon as you have honestly made your fortune.

De la Brive
Honestly! That will be perhaps a long time to wait.

Mme. Mercadet
We will be patient. And now, sir, go and inform my husband that he
must give up this attempt because he will not have your co-operation.
(She goes towards the door on the left.)

De la Brive
I should be rather afraid to face him-- I should prefer to write to
him.

Mme. Mercadet (pointing out to him the door by which he entered)
You will find the necessary writing materials in that room. Remain
there until I come for your letter. I will hand it to him myself.

De la Brive
I will do so, madame. After all I am not so worthless as I thought I
was. It is you who have taught me this; you have a right to the whole
credit of it. (He respectfully kisses her hand.) Thank you, madame,
thank you! (He goes out.)

Mme. Mercadet
I have succeeded--if only I could now persuade Mercadet.

Justin (entering from the center)
Madame--madame--here they are--all of them.

Mme. Mercadet
Who?

Justin
The creditors.

Mme. Mercadet
Already?

Justin
There are a great many of them, madame.

Mme. Mercadet
Let them come in here. I will go and inform my husband.

(Mme. Mercadet goes out by one door. Justin opens the other.)

SCENE FIFTH

Pierquin, Goulard, Violette and several other creditors.

Goulard
Gentlemen, we have quite made up our minds, have we not?

All
We have, we have--

Pierquin
No more deluding promises.

Goulard
No more prayers and expostulations.

Violette
No more pretended payments on account, thrown out as a bait to get
deeper into our pockets.