tock has been for a long time very risky and has
suddenly become of first-class value, through the discovery of certain
beds of mineral, which are known only to those on the inside.--Ah! If
I could but invest a thousand crowns in it my fortune would be made.
But, of course, our main object at present is the marriage of Julie.

Mme. Mercadet
You are well acquainted with M. de la Brive, are you not?

Mercadet
I have dined with him. He has a charming apartment, fine plate, a
silver dessert service, bearing his arms, so that it could not have
been borrowed. Our daughter is going to make a fine match, and he--
when either one of a married couple is happy, it is all right.

(Julie enters.)

Mme. Mercadet
Here comes our daughter. Julie, your father and I have something to
say to you on a subject which is always agreeable to a young girl.

Julie
M. Minard has then spoken to you, father?

Mercadet
M. Minard! Did you expect, madame, to find a M. Minard reigning in the
heart of your daughter? Is not this M. Minard that under clerk of
mine?

Julie
Yes, papa.

Mercadet
Do you love him?

Julie
Yes, papa.

Mercadet
But besides loving, it is necessary for a person to be loved.

Mme. Mercadet
Does he love you?

Julie
Yes, mamma!

Mercadet
Yes, papa; yes, mamma; why don't you say mammy and daddy?--As soon as
daughters have passed their majority they begin to talk as if they
were just weaned. Be polite enough to address your mother as madame.

Julie
Yes, monsieur.

Mercadet
Oh! you may address me as papa. I sha'n't be annoyed at that. What
proof have you that he loves you?

Julie
The best proof of all; he wishes to marry me.

Mercadet
It is quite true, as has been said, that young girls, like little
children, have answers ready enough to knock one silly. Let me tell
you, mademoiselle, that a clerk with a salary of eighteen hundred
francs does not know how to love. He hasn't got the time, he has to
work too hard--

Mme. Mercadet
But, unhappy child--

Mercadet
Ah! A lucky thought strikes me! Let me talk to her. Julie, listen to
me. I will marry you to Minard. (Julie smiles with delight.) Now, look
here, you haven't got a single sou, and you know it; what is going to
become of you a week after your marriage? Have you thought about that?

Julie
Yes, papa--

Mme. Mercadet (with sympathy, to her husband)
The poor child is mad.

Mercadet
Yes, she is in love. (To Julie) Tell me all about it, Julie.