irl of whom you are
fond is now at stake--for you are fond of Julie! She has a sincere
attachment for your little girl, they play together like the happiest
of creatures. Would you let the companion of your daughter pine away
with despair? Misfortune is contagious! It brings evil on all around!

Verdelin
My dear fellow, I have not a thousand crowns. I can lend you my plate;
but I have not--

Mercadet
You can give me your note on the bank. It is soon signed--

Verdelin (rising)
I--no--

Mercadet
Ah! my poor daughter! It is all over. (Falls back overcome in an
armchair near the table.) God forgive me, if I put an end to the
painful dream of life, and let me awaken in Thy bosom!

Verdelin (after a short silence)
But-- Have you really found a son-in-law?

Mercadet (rising abruptly to his feet)
You ask if I have found a son-in-law! You actually throw a doubt upon
this! You may refuse me, if you like, the means of effecting the
happiness of my daughter, but do not insult me! I am fallen low
indeed! O Verdelin! I would not for a thousand crowns have had such an
idea of you, and you can never win absolution from me excepting by
giving them.

Verdelin (wishing to leave)
I must go and see if I can--

Mercadet
No! This is only another way of refusing me! Can I believe it? Will
not you whom I have seen spend the same sum upon some such trifle as a
passing love affair--will you not apply the thousand crowns to the
performance of a good action?

Verdelin (laughing)
At the present time there are very few good actions, or transactions.

Mercadet
Ha! Ha! Ha! How witty! You are laughing, I see there is a reaction!

Verdelin
Ha! Ha! Ha! (He drops his hat.)

Mercadet (picking up the hat and dusting it with his sleeve)
Come now, old fellow. Haven't we seen life! We two began it together.
What a lot of things we have said and done! Don't you recollect the
good old time when we swore to be friends always through thick and
thin?

Verdelin
Indeed, I do. And don't you recollect our party at Rambouillet, where
I fought an officer of the Guard on your account?

Mercadet
I thought it was for the lovely Clarissa! Ah! But we were gay! We were
young! And to-day we have our daughters, daughters old enough to
marry! If Clarissa were alive now, she would blame your hesitation!

Verdelin
If she had lived, I should never have married.

Mercadet
Because you know what love is, that you do! So I may count upon you
for dinner,