cadet
That is all right! I have succeeded in my scheme! My daughter shall be
Comtesse de la Brive! (To the servants) Show them in! I am waiting,
and the money is ready. (He goes proudly towards his study, while the
servants look at him with surprise.)

Curtain to the First Act.

ACT II

SCENE FIRST

(Mercadet's study, containing book-shelves, a safe, a desk, an
armchair and a sofa.)

Minard and Justin, then Julie.

Minard
Did you say that M. Mercadet wished to speak with me?

Justin
Yes, sir. But mademoiselle has requested that you await her here.

Minard (aside)
Her father asks to see me. She wishes to speak to me before the
interview. Something extraordinary must have happened.

Justin
Mademoiselle is here.

(Enter Julie.)

Minard (going towards her)
Mlle. Julie!

Julie
Justin, inform my father that the gentleman has arrived. (Exit
Justin.) If you wish, Adolphe, that our love should shine as bright in
the sight of all as it does in our hearts, be as courageous as I have
already been.

Minard
What has taken place?

Julie
A rich young suitor has presented himself, and my father is acting
without any pity for us.

Minard
A rival! And you ask me if I have any courage! Tell me his name,
Julie, and you will soon know whether I have any courage.

Julie
Adolphe! You make me shudder! Is this the way in which you are going
to act with the hope of bending my father?

Minard (seeing Mercadet approach)
Here he comes.

SCENE SECOND

The same persons and Mercadet.

Mercadet
Sir, are you in love with my daughter?

Minard
Yes, sir.

Mercadet
That is, at least, what she believes, and you seem to have had the
talent to persuade her that it is so.

Minard
Your manner of expressing yourself implies a doubt on your part, which
in any one else would have been offensive to me. Why should I not love
mademoiselle? Abandoned by my parents, it was from your daughter, sir,
that I have learned for the first time the happiness of affection.
Mlle. Julie is at the same time a sister and a friend to me. She is my
whole family. She alone has smiled upon me and has encouraged me; and
my love for her is beyond what language can express!

Julie
Must I remain here, father?

Mercadet (to his daughter)
Swallow it all! (To Minard) Sir, with regard to the love of young
people I have those positive