ideas which are considered peculiar to
old men. My distrust of such love is all the more permissible because
I am not the father blinded by paternal affection. I see Julie exactly
as she is; without being absolutely plain, she has none of that beauty
that makes people cry out, "See!" She is quite mediocre.

Minard
You are mistaken, sir; I venture to say that you do not know your
daughter.

Mercadet
Permit me--

Minard
You do not know her, sir.

Mercadet
But I know her perfectly well--as if--in a word, I know her--

Minard
No, sir, you do not.

Mercadet
Do you mean to contradict me again, sir?

Minard
You know the Julie that all the world sees; but love has transfigured
her! Tenderness and devotion lend to her a transporting beauty that I
alone have called up in her.

Julie
Father, I feel ashamed--

Mercadet
You mean you feel happy. And if you, sir, repeat these things--

Minard
I shall repeat them a hundred times, a thousand times, and even then I
couldn't repeat them often enough. There is no crime in repeating them
before a father!

Mercadet
You flatter me! I did believe myself her father; but you are the
father of a Julie whose acquaintance I should very much like to make.

Minard
You have never been in love, I suppose?

Mercadet
I have been very much in love! And felt the galling chain of gold like
everybody else.

Minard
That was long ago. In these days we love in a better way.

Mercadet
How do you do that?

Minard
We cling to the soul, to the idea!

Mercadet
What we used to call under the Empire, having our eyes bandaged.

Minard
It is love, pure and holy, which can lend a charm to all the hours of
life.

Mercadet
Yes all!--except the dinner hour.

Julie
Father, do not ridicule two children who love each other with a
passion which is true and pure, because it is founded upon a knowledge
of each other's character; on the certitude of their mutual ardor in
conquering the difficulties of life; in a word, of two children who
will also cherish sincere affection for you.

Minard (to Mercadet)
What an angel, sir!

Mercadet (aside)
I'll angel you! (Putting an arm around each.) Happy children!--You are
absolutely in love? What a fine romance! (To Minard) You desire her
for your wife?

Minard
Yes, sir.

Mercadet
In spite of all obstacles?

Minard
It is mine to overcome them!

Julie
Father, ought you not to be grateful to me in that by my choice I am
giving you a s