Mercadet
Yes, a million, from the start. Afterwards no one can calculate where
the rage for protective pavement will stop.

Violette
Pavement?

Mercadet
Protective pavement. A pavement on which no barricade can be raised.

Violette
Really?

Mercadet
You see, that from henceforth all governments interested in the
preservation of order will become our chief shareholders--Ministers,
princes and kings will be our chief partners. Next come the gods of
finance, the great bankers, those of independent income in commerce
and speculation; even the socialists, seeing that their industry is
ruined, will be forced to buy stocks for a living from me!

Violette
Yes, it is fine! It is grand!

Mercadet
It is sublime and philanthropic! And to think I have been refused four
thousand francs, wherewith to send out advertisements and launch my
prospectus!

Violette
Four thousand francs! I thought it was only--

Mercadet
Four thousand francs, no more! And I was to give away for the loan a
half interest in the enterprise--that is to say a fortune! Ten
fortunes!

Violette
Listen--I will see--I will speak to some one--

Mercadet
Speak to no one! Keep it to yourself! The idea would at once be
snatched up--or perhaps they wouldn't understand it so well as you
have immediately done. These money dealers are so stupid. Besides, I
am expecting Verdelin here--

Violette
Verdelin--but--we might perhaps--

Mercadet
'Twill be lucky for Verdelin, if he has the brains to risk six
thousand francs in it.

Violette
But you said four thousand just now.

Mercadet
It was four thousand that they refused me, but I need six thousand!
Six thousand francs, and Verdelin, whom I have already made a
millionaire once, is likely to become so three, four, five times over!
But he will deserve it, for he is a clever fellow, is Verdelin.

Violette
Mercadet, I will find you the money.

Mercadet
No, no, don't think of it. Besides, he will be here in a moment, and
if I am to send him away without concluding the business with him, it
will be necessary to have it settled with some one else before
Verdelin comes--and, as that is impossible--good-bye--and good luck--I
shall certainly be able to pay you your thirty thousand francs.

Violette
But say--why couldn't I--?

Mme. Mercadet (entering)
M. Verdelin has come, my dear.

Mercadet (aside)
Good, good! (Aloud) Just detain him a minute. (Mme. Mercadet goes
out.) Well, good-bye, dear old Vi