well as yourself; but still, fine words
butter no parsnips, and I am come to implore you to give me a small
sum on account, and by so doing you will save the lives of a whole
family.

Mercadet
My dear old Violette, you grieve me deeply! Be reasonable and I will
share with you. (In a low voice) We have scarcely a hundred francs in
the house, and even that is my daughter's money.

Violette
Is it possible! You, Mercadet, whom I have known so rich?

Mercadet
I conceal nothing from you.

Violette
Unfortunate people owe it to each other to speak the truth.

Mercadet
Ah! If that were the only thing they owed how prompt would be the
payment! But keep this as a secret, for I am on the point of making a
good match for my daughter.

Violette
I have two daughters, sir, and they work without hope of being
married! In your present circumstances I cannot press you, but my wife
and my daughters await my return in the deepest anxiety.

Mercadet
Stay a moment. I will give you sixty francs.

Violette
Ah! my wife and my girls will bless you. (Aside, while Mercadet leaves
the room for a moment.) The others who abuse him get nothing out of
him, but by appealing to his pity, little by little I get back my
money. (Chuckles and slaps his pocket.)

Mercadet (on the point of re-entering sees this action)
The beggarly old miser! Sixty francs on account paid ten times makes
six hundred francs. Come now, I have sown enough, it is time to reap
the harvest. (Aloud) Take this.

Violette
Sixty francs in gold! It is a long time since I have seen such a sum.
Good-bye, we sha'n't forget to pray for the speedy marriage of Mlle.
Mercadet.

Mercadet
Good-bye, dear old Violette. (Holding him by the hand.) Poor old man,
when I look at you, I think myself rich--your misfortunes touch me
deeply. And yesterday I thought I would soon be on the point of paying
back to you not only the interest but the principal of what I owe you.

Violette (turning back)
Paying me back! In full!

Mercadet
It was a close shave.

Violette
What was?

Mercadet
Imagine, my dear fellow, that there exists a most brilliant
opportunity, a most magnificent speculation, the most sublime
discovery--an affair which appeals to the interest of every one, which
will draw upon all the exchanges, and for the realization of which a
stupid banker has refused me the miserable sum of a thousand crowns--
when there is more than a million in sight.

Violette
A million!