inviting in wedlock a protested note with a writ of execution.

Minard (lost in thought)
Ruined, ruined! And without resources!

Mercadet (aside)
I thought that would upset him. (Aloud) Come, now, young man, what are
you going to do?

Minard
First, I thank you, sir, for the frankness of your admissions.

Mercadet
That is good! And what of the ideal, and your love for my daughter?

Minard
You have opened my eyes, sir.

Mercadet (aside)
I am glad to hear it.

Minard
I thought that I already loved her with a love that was boundless, and
now I love her a hundred times more.

Mercadet
The deuce you do!

Minard
Have you not led me to understand that she will have need of all my
courage, of all my devotion! I will render her happy by other means
than my tenderness; she shall feel grateful for all my efforts, she
shall love me for my vigils, and for my toils.

Mercadet
You mean to tell me that you still wish to marry her?

Minard
Do I wish! When I believed that you were rich, I would not ask her of
you without trembling, without feeling ashamed of my poverty; but now,
sir, it is with assurance and with tranquillity of mind that I ask for
her.

Mercadet (to himself)
I must admit that this is a love exceedingly true, sincere and noble!
And such as I had believed it impossible to find in the whole world!
(To Minard) Forgive me, young man, for the opinion I had of you--
forgive me, above all, for the disappointment I am about to cause you.

Minard
What do you mean?

Mercadet
M. Minard--Julie--cannot be your wife.

Minard
What is this, sir? Not be my wife? In spite of our love, in spite of
all you have confided to me?

Mercadet
Yes, and just because of all I have confided to you. I have shown you
Mercadet the rich man in his true colors. I am going to show you him
as the skeptical man of business. I have frankly opened my books to
you. I am now going to open my heart to you as frankly.

Minard
Speak out, sir, but remember how great my devotion to Mlle. Julie is.
Remember that my self-sacrifice and unselfishness are equal to my love
for her.

Mercadet
Let it be granted that by means of night-long vigils and toils you
will make a living for Julie! But who will make a living for us, her
father and mother?

Minard
Ah! sir--believe in me!

Mercadet
What! Are you going to work for four, instead of working for only two?
The task will be too much for you! And the bread which you give to us,
you wi