I am not
now your father, but your confidant; I am listening.

Julie
After our marriage we will still love each other.

Mercadet
But will Cupid shoot you bank coupons at the end of his arrows?

Julie
Father, we shall lodge in a small apartment, at the extremity of the
Faubourg, on the fourth story, if necessary!--And if it can't be
helped, I will be his house-maid. Oh! I will take an immense delight
in the care of the household, for I shall know that it will all be
done for him. I will work for him, while he is working for me. I will
spare him every anxiety, and he will never know how straitened we are.
Our home will be spotlessly clean, even elegant--You shall see!
Elegance depends upon such little things; it springs from the soul,
and happiness is at once the cause and the effect of it. I can earn
enough from my painting to cost him nothing and even to contribute to
the expenses of our living. Moreover, love will help us to pass
through the days of hardship. Adolphe has ambition, like all those who
are of lofty soul, and these are the successful men--

Mercadet
Success is within reach of the bachelor, but, when a man is married,
he exhausts himself in meeting his expenses, and runs after a thousand
franc bill as a dog runs after a carriage.

Julie
But, papa, Adolphe has strength of will, united with such capacity
that I feel sure I shall see him some day a Minister, perhaps--

Mercadet
In these days, who is there that does not indulge more or less the
hope of being a minister? When a man leaves college he thinks himself
a great poet, or a great orator! Do you know what your Adolphe will
really become?--Why, the father of several children, who will utterly
disarrange your plans of work and economy, who will end by landing his
excellency in the debtor's prison, and who will plunge you into the
most frightful poverty. What you have related to me is the romance and
not the reality of life.

Mme. Mercadet
Daughter, there can be nothing serious in this love of yours.

Julie
It is a love to which both of us are willing to sacrifice everything.

Mercadet
I suppose that your friend Adolphe thinks that we are rich?

Julie
He has never spoken to me about money.

Mercadet
Just so. I can quite understand it. (To Julie) Julie, write to him at
once, telling him to come to me.

Julie (kissing him)
Dear papa!

Mercadet
And you must marry M. de la Brive. Instead of living on a fourth floor
in a suburb, you wi