ted! And if I cannot pay in cash for certain
necessary expenses, this marriage must be broken off. All I went here
is a fortnight of opulence, just as all that you want is twenty-four
hours of lying on the Exchange. Verdelin, this request will never be
repeated, for I have only one daughter. Must I confess it to you? My
wife and daughter are absolutely destitute of clothes! (Aside) He is
hesitating.

Verdelin (aside)
He has played me so many tricks that I really do not know whether his
daughter is doing to be married or not. How can she marry?

Mercadet
This very day I have to give a dinner to my future son-in-law, whom a
mutual friend is introducing to us, and I haven't even my plate
remaining in the house. It is--you know where it is--I not only need a
thousand crowns, but I also hope that you will lend me your dinner
service and come and dine here with your wife.

Verdelin
A thousand crowns! Mercadet! No one has a thousand crowns to lend. One
scarcely has them for himself; if he were to lend them whenever he was
asked, he would never have them. (He retires to the fire-place.)

Mercadet (following him, aside)
He will yet come to the scratch. (Aloud) Now look here, Verdelin, I
love my wife and my daughter; these sentiments, my friend, are my sole
consolation in the midst of my recent disasters; these women have been
so gentle, so patient! I should like to see them placed beyond the
reach of distress. Oh! It is on this point that my sufferings are most
real! (They walk to the front of the stage arm in arm.) I have
recently drunk the cup of bitterness, I have slipped upon my wooden
pavement,--I organized a monopoly and others drained me of everything!
But, believe me, this is nothing in comparison with the pain of seeing
you refuse me help in this extremity! Nevertheless, I am not going to
dwell upon the consequences--for I do not wish to owe anything to your
pity.

Verdelin (taking a seat)
A thousand crowns! But what purpose would you apply them to?

Mercadet (aside)
I shall get them. (Aloud) My dear fellow, a son-in-law is a bird who
is easily frightened away. The absence of one piece of lace on a dress
reveals everything to them. The ladies' costumes are ordered, the
merchants are on the point of delivering them--yes, I was rash enough
to say that I would pay for everything, for I counted on you!
Verdelin, a thousand crowns won't kill you, for you have sixty
thousand francs a year. And the life of a young g