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Title: Mercadet
A Comedy In Three Acts
Author: Honore De Balzac
Release Date: December 3, 2004 [EBook #14246]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MERCADET ***
Produced by Dagny and John Bickers
MERCADET
A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS
BY
HONORE DE BALZAC
Presented for the First Time in Paris
At the Theatre du Gymnase-Dramatique
August 24, 1851
PERSONS OF THE PLAY
Mercadet, a speculator
Madame Mercadet, his wife
Julie, their daughter
Minard, clerk of Mercadet
Verdelin, friend of Mercadet
Goulard, creditor of Mercadet
Pierquin, creditor of Mercadet
Violette, creditor of Mercadet
Mericourt, acquaintance of Mercadet
De la Brive, suitor to Julie
Justin, valet
Therese, lady's maid
Virginie, cook
Various other creditors of Mercadet
SCENE: Paris, in the house of Mercadet
TIME: About 1845
MERCADET
ACT I
SCENE FIRST
(A drawing-room. A door in the centre. Side doors. At the front, to
the left, a mantel-piece with a mirror. To the right, a window, and
next it a writing-table. Armchairs.)
Justin, Virginie and Therese
Justin (finishing dusting the room)
Yes, my dears, he finds it very hard to swim; he is certain to drown,
poor M. Mercadet.
Virginie (her basket on her arm)
Honestly, do you think that?
Justin
He is ruined! And although there is much fat to be stewed from a
master while he is financially embarrassed, you must not forget that
he owes us a year's wages, and we had better get ourselves discharged.
Therese
Some masters are so frightfully stubborn! I spoke to the mistress
disrespectfully two or three times, and she pretended not to hear me.
Virginie
Ah! I have been at service in many middle-class houses; but I have
never seen one like this! I am going to leave my stove, and become an
actress in some theatre.
Justin
All of us here are nothing but actors in a theatre.
Virginie
Yes, indeed, sometimes one has to put on an air of astonishment, as if
just fallen from the moon, when a creditor appears: "Didn't you know
it, sir?"--"No."--"M. Mercadet has gone to Lyons."--"Ah! He is away?"
--"Yes, his prospects are most brilliant; he has discovered some coal-
mines."--"Ah! So much the better! When does he return?"--"I do not
know." Sometimes I put on an expression as if I had lost the dearest
friend I had in the world.
Justin (aside)
That would be her money.
Virginie (pretending to cry)
"Monsieur and mademoiselle are in the greatest distress. It seems that
we are going to lose poor Madame Mercadet. They have taken her away to
the waters! Ah!"
Therese
And then, there are some creditors who are actual brutes! They speak
to you as if you were the masters!
Virginie
There's an end of it. I ask them for their bill and tell them I am
going to settle. But now, the tradesmen refuse to give anything
without the money! And you may be sure that I am not going to lend any
of mine.
Justin
Let us demand our wages.
Virginie and Therese
Yes, let us demand our wages.
Virginie
Who are middle-class people? Middle-class people are those who spend a
great deal on their kitchen--
Justin
Who are devoted to their servants--
Virginie
And who leave them a pension. That is how middle-class people ought to
behave to their servants.
Therese
The lady of Picardy speaks well. But all the same, I pity mademoiselle
and young Minard, her suitor.
Justin
M. Mercadet is not going to give his daughter to a miserable
bookkeeper who earns no more than eighteen hundred francs a year; he
has better views for her than that.
Therese and Virginie
Who is the man he thinks of?
Justin
Yesterday two fine young gentlemen came here in a carriage, and their
groom told old Gruneau that one of them was going to marry Mlle.
Mercadet.
Virginie
You don't mean to say so! Are those gentlemen in yellow gloves, with
fine flowered waistcoats, going to marry mademoiselle?
Justin
Not both of them, lady of Picardy.
Virginie
The panels of their carriage shone like satin. Their horse had
rosettes here. (She points to her ears.) It was held by a boy of
eight, fair, with frizzed hair and top boots. He looked as sly as a
mouse--a very Cupid, though he swore like a trooper. His master is as
fine as a picture, with a big diamond in his scarf. It ain't possible
that a handsome young man who owns such a turnout as that is going to
be the husband of Mlle. Mercadet? I can't believe it.
Justin
You don't know M. Mercadet! I, who have been in his house for the last
six years, and have seen him since his troubles fighting with his
creditors, can believe him capable of anything, even of growing rich;
sometimes I say to myself he is utterly ruined! Yellow auction
placards flame at his door. He receives reams of stamped creditor's
notices, which I sell by the pound for waste paper without being
noticed. But presto! Up he bobs again. He is triumphant. And what
devices he has! There is a new one every day! First of all, it is a
scheme for wooden pavements--then it is dukedoms, ponds, mills. I
don't know where the leakage is in his cash box; he finds it so hard
to fill; for it empties itself as easily as a drained wine-glass! And
always crowds of creditors! How well he turns them away! Sometimes I
have seen them come with the intention of carrying off everything and
throwing him into prison. But when he talks to them they end by being
the best of friends, and part with cordial handshakes! There are some
men who can tame jackals and lions. That's not a circumstance; M.
Mercadet can tame creditors!
Therese
One of them is not quite so easily managed; and that is M. Pierquin.
Justin
He is a tiger who feeds on bankrupts. And to think of poor old
Violette!
Virginie
He is both creditor and beggar--I always feel inclined to give him a
plate of soup.
Justin
And Goulard!
Therese
A bill discounter who would like very much to--to discount me.
Virginie (amid a general laugh)
I hear madame coming.
Justin
Let us keep a civil tongue in our heads, and we shall learn something
about the marriage.
SCENE SECOND
The same persons and Mme. Mercadet.
Mme. Mercadet
Justin, have you executed the commissions I gave you?
Justin
Yes, madame, but they refused to deliver the dresses, the hats, and
indeed all the things you ordered until--
Virginie
And I also have to inform madame that the tradesmen are no longer
willing--
Mme. Mercadet
I understand.
Justin
The creditors are the cause of the whole trouble. I wish I knew how to
get even with them.
Mme. Mercadet
The best way to do so would be to pay them.
Justin
They would be mightily surprised.
Mme. Mercadet
It is useless to conceal from you the excessive anxiety which I suffer
over the condition of my husband's affairs. We shall doubtless be in
need of your discretion--for we can depend upon you, can we not?
All
You need not mention it, madame.
Virginie
We were just saying, what excellent employers we had.
Therese
And that we would go through fire and water for you!
Justin
We were saying--
(Mercadet appears unnoticed.)
Mme. Mercadet
Thank you all, you are good creatures. (Mercadet shrugs his
shoulders.) Your master needs only time, he has so many schemes in his
head!--a rich suitor has offered himself for Mlle. Julie, and if--
SCENE THIRD
The same persons and Mercadet.
Mercadet (interrupting his wife)
My dearest! (The servants draw back a little. In a low voice to
madame) And so this is how you speak to the servants! To-morrow they
laugh at us. (To Justin) Justin, go at once to M. Verdelin's house,
and ask him to come here, as I want to speak to him about a piece of
business that will not admit of delay. Assume an air of mystery, for I
must have him come. You, Therese, go to the tradesmen of Madame de
Mercadet, and tell them, sharply, that they must send the things that
have been ordered.--They will be paid for--yes--and cash, too--go at
once. (Justin and Therese start.) Ah!--(They stop.) If--these people
come to the house again, ask them to enter. (Mme. Mercadet takes a
seat.)
Justin
These--these people?--
Therese and Virginie
These people? Eh!
Mercadet
Yes, these people--these creditors of mine!--
Mme. Mercadet
How is this, my dear?
Mercadet (taking a seat opposite his wife)
I am weary of solitude--I want their society. (To Justin and Therese)
That will do.
(Justin and Therese leave the room.)
SCENE FOURTH
Mercadet, Mme. Mercadet and Virginie.
Mercadet (to Virginie)
Has madame given you any orders?
Virginie
No, sir, and besides the tradespeople--
Mercadet
I hope you will do yourself credit to-day. We are going to have four
people to dinner--Verdelin and his wife, M. de Mericourt and M. de la
Brive--so there will be seven of us. Such dinners are the glory of
great cooks! You must have a fine fish after the soup, then two
entrees, very delicately cooked--
Virginie
But, sir, the trades--
Mercadet
For the second course--ah, the second course ought to be at once rich
and brilliant, yet solid. The second course--
Virginie
But the tradespeople--
Mercadet
Nonsense! You annoy me--To talk about tradespeople on the day when my
daughter and her intended are to meet!
Virginie
They won't supply anything.
Mercadet
What have we got to do with tradespeople that won't take our trade? We
must get others. You must go to their competitors, you must give them
my custom, and they will tip you for it.
Virginie
And how shall I pay those that I am giving up?
Mercadet
Don't worry yourself about that,--it is my business.
Virginie
But if they ask me to pay them--
Mercadet (aside, rising to his feet)
That girl has money of her own. (Aloud) Virginie, in these days,
credit is the sole wealth of the government. My tradespeople
misunderstand the laws of their country, they will show themselves
unconstitutional and utter radicals, unless they leave me alone.--
Don't you trouble your head about people who raise an insurrection
against the vital principles of all rightly constituted states! What
you have got to attend to, is dinner,--that is your duty, and I hope
that on this occasion you will show yourself to be what you are, a
first-class cook! And if Mme. Mercadet, when she settles with you on
the day after my daughter's wedding, finds that she owes you anything,
I will hold myself liable for it all.
Virginie (hesitating)
Sir--
Mercadet
Now go about your business. I give you here an opportunity of gaining
an interest of ten per cent every six months!--and that is better than
the savings banks will do for you.
Virginie
That it is; they only give four per cent a year!
Mercadet (whispering to his wife)
What did I tell you!--(To Virginie) How can you run the risk of
putting your money into the hands of strangers--You are quite clever
enough to invest it yourself, and here your little nest-egg will
remain in your own possession.
Virginie
Ten per cent every six months!--I suppose that madame will give me the
particulars with regard to the second course. I must start to work on
it. (Exit.)
SCENE FIFTH
Mercadet and Mme. Mercadet
Mercadet (watching Virginie as she goes out)
That girl has a thousand crowns of our good money in the savings bank,
so that we needn't worry about the kitchen for awhile.
Mme. Mercadet
Ah! sir, how can you stoop to such a thing as this?
Mercadet
Madame, these are mere petty details; don't bother about the means to
an end. You, a little time ago, were trying to control your servants
by kindness, but it is necessary to command and compel them, and to do
it briefly, like Napoleon.
Mme. Mercadet
How can you order them when you don't pay them?
Mercadet
You must pay them by a bluff.
Mme. Mercadet
Sometimes you can obtain by affection what is not attainable by--
Mercadet
By affection! Ah! Little do you know the age in which we live--To-day,
madame, wealth is everything, family is nothing; there are no
families, but only individuals! The future of each one is to be
determined by the public funds. A young girl when she needs a dowry no
longer appeals to her family, but to a syndicate. The income of the
King of England comes from an insurance company. The wife depends for
funds, not upon her husband, but upon the savings bank!--Debts are
paid, not to creditors, but to the country, through an agency, which
manages a sort of slave-trade in white people! All our duties are
arranged by coupons--The servants which we exchange for them are no
longer attached to their masters, but if you hold their money they
will be devoted to you.
Mme. Mercadet
Oh, sir, you who are so honorable, so upright, sometimes say things to
me which--
Mercadet
And what is said may also be done, that is what you mean, isn't it?
Undoubtedly I would do anything to save myself, for (he pulls out a
five-franc piece) this represents modern honor. Do you know why the
dramas that have criminals for their heroes are so popular? It is
because all the audience flatter themselves and say, "at any rate, I
am much better than that fellow!"
Mme. Mercadet
My dear!
Mercadet
For my part I have an excuse, for I am bearing the burden of my
partner's crime--of that fellow Godeau, who absconded, carrying with
him the cash box of our house!--And besides that, what disgrace is it
to be in debt? What man is there who does not owe his father his
existence? He can never repay that debt. The earth is constantly
bankrupt to the sun. Life, madame, is a perpetual loan! Am I not
superior to my creditors? I have their money, when they can only
expect mine. I do not ask anything of them, and yet they are
constantly importuning me.--A man who does not owe anything is not
thought about by any one, while my creditors take a keen interest in
me.
Mme. Mercadet
They take rather too much! To owe and to pay is well enough--but to
borrow without any prospect of returning--
Mercadet
You feel a great deal of compassion for my creditors, but our
indebtedness to them springs from--
Mme. Mercadet
Their confidence in us, sir.
Mercadet
No, but from their greed of gain! The speculator and the broker are
one and the same--each of them aims at sudden wealth. I have done a
favor to all my creditors, and they all expect to get something out of
me! I should be most unhappy but for the secret consciousness I have
that they are selfish and avaricious--so that you will see in a few
moments how I will make each of them play out his little comedy. (He
sits down.)
Mme. Mercadet
You have actually ordered them to be admitted?
Mercadet
That I may meet them as I ought to!--(taking her hand.) I am at the
end of my resources; the time has come for a master-stroke, and Julie
must come to our assistance.
Mme. Mercadet
What, my daughter!
Mercadet
My creditors are pressing me, and harassing me. I must manage to make
a brilliant match for Julie. This will dazzle them; they will give me
more time. But in order that this brilliant marriage may take place,
these gentlemen must give me more money.
Mme. Mercadet
They give you more money!
Mercadet
Isn't there need of it for the dresses which they are sending to you,
and for the trousseau which I am giving? And a suitable trousseau to
go with the dowry of two hundred thousand francs, will cost fifteen
thousand.
Mme. Mercadet
But you are utterly unable to give such a dowry.
Mercadet (rising)
All the more reason why I should give the trousseau. Now this is what
we stand in need of: twelve or fifteen thousand francs for the
trousseau, and a thousand crowns to pay the tradesmen and to prevent
any appearance of straitened circumstances in our house, when M. de la
Brive arrives.
Mme. Mercadet
How can you count on your creditors for that?
Mercadet
Don't they now belong to the family? Can you find any relation who is
as anxious as they are to see me wealthy and rich? Relations are
always a little envious of the happiness of the wealth which comes to
us; the creditor's joy alone is sincere. If I were to die, I should
have at my funeral more creditors than relations, and while the latter
carried their mourning in their hearts or on their heads, the former
would carry it in their ledgers and purses. It is here that my
departure would leave a genuine void! The heart forgets, and crape
disappears at the end of a year, but the account which is unpaid is
ineffaceable, and the void remains eternally unfilled.
Mme. Mercadet
My dear, I know the people to whom you are indebted, and I am quite
certain that you will obtain nothing from them.
Mercadet
I shall obtain both time and money from them, rest assured of that.
(Mme. Mercadet is perturbed.) Don't you see, my dear, that creditors
when once they have opened their purses are like gamblers who continue
to stake their money in order to recover their first losses? (Growing
excited.) Yes! they are inexhaustible gold mines! If a man has no
father to leave him a fortune, he finds his creditors are so many
indefatigable uncles.
Justin (entering)
M. Goulard wishes to know if it is true that you desire to see him?
Mercadet (to his wife)
My message astounded him. (To Justin) Beg him to come in. (Justin goes
out.) Goulard! The most intractable of them all!--who has three
bailiffs in his employ. But fortunately he is a greedy though timid
speculator who engages in the most risky affairs and trembles all the
time they are being conducted.
Justin (announcing)
M. Goulard!
(Exit Justin.)
SCENE SIXTH
The same persons and Goulard.
Goulard (in anger)
Ah! you can be found, sir, when you want to be!
Mme. Mercadet (aside to her husband)
My dear, how angry he seems!
Mercadet (making a sign that she should be calm)
This is one of my creditors, my dear.
Goulard
Yes, and I sha'n't leave this house until you pay me.
Mercadet (aside)
You sha'n't leave this house until you give me some money--(Aloud) Ah!
you have persecuted me most unkindly--me, a man with whom you have had
such extensive dealings!
Goulard
Dealings which have not always been to my advantage.
Mercadet
All the more credit to you, for if advantage were the sole results of
business, everybody would become a money-lender.
Goulard
I hope you haven't asked me to come here, in order to show me how
clever you are! I know that you are cleverer than I am, for you have
got over me in money matters.
Mercadet
Well, money matters have some importance. (To his wife) Yes, yes, you
see in this man one who has hunted me as if I were a hare. Come, come,
Goulard, admit it, you have behaved badly. Anybody but myself would
have taken vengeance on you--for of course I could cause you to lose a
considerable sum of money.
Goulard
So you could, if you didn't pay me; but you shall pay me--your
obligations are now in the hands of the law.
Mme. Mercadet
Of the law?
Mercadet
Of the law! You are losing your senses, you don't know what you are
doing, you are ruining us both--yourself and me--at the same time.
Goulard (anxiously)
How?--You--that of course is possible--but--but--me?
Mercadet
Both of us, I tell you! Quick, sit down there--write--write--!
Goulard (mechanically taking his pen)
Write--write what?
Mercadet
Write to Delannoy that he must make them stay the proceedings, and
give me the thousand crowns which I absolutely need.
Goulard (throwing down the pen)
That is very likely, indeed!
Mercadet
You hesitate, and, when I am on the eve of marrying my daughter to a
man immensely wealthy--that is the time you choose to cause my arrest.
And by that means you are killing both your capital and interest!
Goulard
Ah! you are going to marry your daughter--
Mercadet
To the Comte de la Brive; he possesses as many thousand francs as he
is years old!
Goulard
Then if he is up in years, there is reason for giving you some delay.
But the thousand crowns--the thousand crowns--never.--I am quite
decided on that point. I will give you nothing, neither delay nor--I
must go now--
Mercadet (with energy)
Very well! You can go if you like, you ungrateful fellow!--But don't
forget that I have done my best to save you.
Goulard (turning back)
Me?--To save me--from what?
Mercadet (aside)
I have him now. (Aloud) From what?--From the most complete ruin.
Goulard
Ruin? It is impossible.
Mercadet (taking a seat)
What is the matter with you? You, a man of intelligence, of ability--a
strong man, and yet you cause me all this trouble! You came here and I
felt absolutely enraged against you--not because I was your friend, I
confess it, but through selfishness. I look upon our interests as
identical. I said to myself: I owe him so much that he is sure to give
me his assistance when I have such a grand chance--like the one at
this moment! And you are going to let out the whole business and to
lose everything for the sake of a paltry sum! Everything! You are
perhaps right in refusing me the thousand crowns--It is better,
perhaps, to bury them in your coffers with the rest. All right! Send
me to prison! Then, when all is gone, you'll have to look somewhere
else for a friend!
Goulard (in a tone of self-reproach)
Mercadet!--my dear Mercadet!--But is it actually true?
Mercadet (rising from his seat)
Is it true? (to his wife) You would not believe he was so stupid. (To
Goulard) She has ended by becoming a daring speculator. (To his wife)
I may tell you, my dear, that Goulard is going to invest a large sum
in our great enterprise.
Mme. Mercadet (ashamed)
Sir!
Mercadet
What a misfortune it will be if it does not turn out well.
Goulard
Mercadet!--Are you talking about the Basse-Indre mines?
Mercadet
Of course I am. (Aside) Ah! You have some of the Basse-Indre stock, I
see.
Goulard
But the investment seems to me first-class.
Mercadet
First-class--Yes, for those who sold out yesterday.
Goulard
Have any stockholders sold out?
Mercadet
Yes, privately.
Goulard
Good-bye. Thanks, Mercadet; madame, accept my respects.
Mercadet (stopping him)
Goulard!
Goulard
Eh?
Mercadet
What about this note to Delannoy?
Goulard
I will speak to him about the postponement--
Mercadet
No; write to him; and in the meantime I will find some one who will
buy your stock.
Goulard (sitting down)
All my Basse-Indre? (He takes up a pen.)
Mercadet (aside)
Here you see the honest man, ever ready to rob his neighbor. (Aloud)
Very well, write--ordering a postponement of three months.
Goulard (writing)
Three months! There you have it.
Mercadet
The man I allude to, who buys in secret for fear of causing a rise,
wants to get three hundred shares; do you happen to have three
hundred?
Goulard
I have three hundred and fifty.
Mercadet
Fifty more! Never mind! He'll take them all. (Examining what Goulard
has written.) Have you mentioned the thousand crowns?
Goulard
And what is your friend's name?
Mercadet
His name? You haven't mentioned?--
Goulard
His name!
Mercadet
The thousand crowns.
Goulard
What a devil of a man he is! (He writes.) There, you have it!
Mercadet
His name is Pierquin.
Goulard (rising)
Pierquin.
Mercadet
He at least is the nominal buyer.--Go to your house and I will send
him to you; it is never a good thing to run after a purchaser.
Goulard
Never!--You have saved my life. Good-bye, my friend. Madame, accept my
prayers for the happiness of your daughter. (Exit.)
Mercadet
One of them captured! Now watch me get the others!
SCENE SEVENTH
Mme. Mercadet, Mercadet, then Julie.
Mme. Mercadet
Is there any truth in what you just now said? I could not quite follow
you.
Mercadet
It is to the interest of my friend Verdelin to cause a panic in Basse-
Indre stock; this stock has been for a long time very risky and has
suddenly become of first-class value, through the discovery of certain
beds of mineral, which are known only to those on the inside.--Ah! If
I could but invest a thousand crowns in it my fortune would be made.
But, of course, our main object at present is the marriage of Julie.
Mme. Mercadet
You are well acquainted with M. de la Brive, are you not?
Mercadet
I have dined with him. He has a charming apartment, fine plate, a
silver dessert service, bearing his arms, so that it could not have
been borrowed. Our daughter is going to make a fine match, and he--
when either one of a married couple is happy, it is all right.
(Julie enters.)
Mme. Mercadet
Here comes our daughter. Julie, your father and I have something to
say to you on a subject which is always agreeable to a young girl.
Julie
M. Minard has then spoken to you, father?
Mercadet
M. Minard! Did you expect, madame, to find a M. Minard reigning in the
heart of your daughter? Is not this M. Minard that under clerk of
mine?
Julie
Yes, papa.
Mercadet
Do you love him?
Julie
Yes, papa.
Mercadet
But besides loving, it is necessary for a person to be loved.
Mme. Mercadet
Does he love you?
Julie
Yes, mamma!
Mercadet
Yes, papa; yes, mamma; why don't you say mammy and daddy?--As soon as
daughters have passed their majority they begin to talk as if they
were just weaned. Be polite enough to address your mother as madame.
Julie
Yes, monsieur.
Mercadet
Oh! you may address me as papa. I sha'n't be annoyed at that. What
proof have you that he loves you?
Julie
The best proof of all; he wishes to marry me.
Mercadet
It is quite true, as has been said, that young girls, like little
children, have answers ready enough to knock one silly. Let me tell
you, mademoiselle, that a clerk with a salary of eighteen hundred
francs does not know how to love. He hasn't got the time, he has to
work too hard--
Mme. Mercadet
But, unhappy child--
Mercadet
Ah! A lucky thought strikes me! Let me talk to her. Julie, listen to
me. I will marry you to Minard. (Julie smiles with delight.) Now, look
here, you haven't got a single sou, and you know it; what is going to
become of you a week after your marriage? Have you thought about that?
Julie
Yes, papa--
Mme. Mercadet (with sympathy, to her husband)
The poor child is mad.
Mercadet
Yes, she is in love. (To Julie) Tell me all about it, Julie. I am not
now your father, but your confidant; I am listening.
Julie
After our marriage we will still love each other.
Mercadet
But will Cupid shoot you bank coupons at the end of his arrows?
Julie
Father, we shall lodge in a small apartment, at the extremity of the
Faubourg, on the fourth story, if necessary!--And if it can't be
helped, I will be his house-maid. Oh! I will take an immense delight
in the care of the household, for I shall know that it will all be
done for him. I will work for him, while he is working for me. I will
spare him every anxiety, and he will never know how straitened we are.
Our home will be spotlessly clean, even elegant--You shall see!
Elegance depends upon such little things; it springs from the soul,
and happiness is at once the cause and the effect of it. I can earn
enough from my painting to cost him nothing and even to contribute to
the expenses of our living. Moreover, love will help us to pass
through the days of hardship. Adolphe has ambition, like all those who
are of lofty soul, and these are the successful men--
Mercadet
Success is within reach of the bachelor, but, when a man is married,
he exhausts himself in meeting his expenses, and runs after a thousand
franc bill as a dog runs after a carriage.
Julie
But, papa, Adolphe has strength of will, united with such capacity
that I feel sure I shall see him some day a Minister, perhaps--
Mercadet
In these days, who is there that does not indulge more or less the
hope of being a minister? When a man leaves college he thinks himself
a great poet, or a great orator! Do you know what your Adolphe will
really become?--Why, the father of several children, who will utterly
disarrange your plans of work and economy, who will end by landing his
excellency in the debtor's prison, and who will plunge you into the
most frightful poverty. What you have related to me is the romance and
not the reality of life.
Mme. Mercadet
Daughter, there can be nothing serious in this love of yours.
Julie
It is a love to which both of us are willing to sacrifice everything.
Mercadet
I suppose that your friend Adolphe thinks that we are rich?
Julie
He has never spoken to me about money.
Mercadet
Just so. I can quite understand it. (To Julie) Julie, write to him at
once, telling him to come to me.
Julie (kissing him)
Dear papa!
Mercadet
And you must marry M. de la Brive. Instead of living on a fourth floor
in a suburb, you will have a fine house in the Chaussee-d'Antin, and,
if you are not the wife of a Minister, you perhaps will be the wife of
a peer of France. I am sorry, my daughter, that I have no more to
offer you. Remember, you can have no choice in the matter, for M.
Minard is going to give you up.
Julie
Oh! he will never do that, papa. He will win your heart--
Mme. Mercadet
My dear, suppose he loves her?
Mercadet
He is deceiving her--
Julie
I shouldn't mind being always deceived in that way.
(A bell is heard without.)
Mme. Mercadet
Some one is ringing, and we have no one to open the door.
Mercadet
That is all right. Let them ring.
Mme. Mercadet
I am all the time thinking that Godeau may return.
Mercadet
After eight years without any news, you are still expecting Godeau!
You seem to me like those old soldiers who are waiting for the return
of Napoleon.
Mme. Mercadet
They are ringing again.
Mercadet
Julie, go and see who it is, and tell them that your mother and I have
gone out. If any one is shameless enough to disbelieve a young girl--
it must be a creditor--let him come in.
(Exit Julie.)
Mme. Mercadet
This love she speaks of, and which, at least on her side, is sincere,
disturbs me greatly.
Mercadet
You women are all too romantic.
Julie (returning)
It is M. Pierquin, papa.
Mercadet
A creditor and usurer--a vile and violent soul, who humors me because
he thinks me a man of resources; a wild beast only half-tamed yet
cowed by my audacity. If I showed fear he would devour me. (Going to
the door.) Come in, Pierquin, come in.
SCENE EIGHTH
The same persons and Pierquin.
Pierquin
My congratulations to you all. I hear that you are making a grand
marriage for your daughter. Mademoiselle is to marry a millionaire;
the report has already gone abroad.
Mercadet
A millionaire?--No, he has only nine hundred thousand francs, at the
most.
Pierquin
This magnificent prospect will induce a lot of people to give you
time. They are becoming devilishly tired of your talk about Godeau's
return. And I myself--
Mercadet
Were you thinking about having me arrested?
Julie
Arrested!
Mme. Mercadet (to Pierquin)
Ah! sir.
Pierquin
Now listen to me, you have had two years, and I never before let a
bond go over so long; but this marriage is a glorious invention and--
Mme. Mercadet
An invention!
Mercadet
Sir, my future son-in-law, M. de la Brive, is a young man--
Pierquin
So that there is a real young man in the case? How much are you going
to pay the young man?
Mme. Mercadet
Oh!
Mercadet (checking his wife by a sign)
No more of this insolence! Otherwise, my dear sir, I shall be forced
to demand a settlement of our accounts--and, my dear M. Pierquin, you
will lose a good deal of the price at which you sold your money to me.
And at the rate of interest you charge, I shall cost you more than the
value of a farm in Bauce.
Pierquin
Sir--
Mercadet (haughtily)
Sir, I shall soon be so rich that I will not endure to be twitted by
any one--not even by a creditor.
Pierquin
But--
Mercadet
Not a word--or I will pay you! Come into my private room and we will
settle the business about which I asked you to come.
Pierquin
I am at your service, sir. (Aside) What a devil of a man!
(Pierquin and Mercadet bow to the ladies and enter Mercadet's room.)
Mercadet (following Pierquin; aside to his wife)
The wild beast is tamed. I'll get this one, too.
SCENE NINTH
Mme. Mercadet, Julie, and later, Servants.
Julie
O mamma! I cannot marry this M. de la Brive!
Mme. Mercadet
But he is rich, you know.
Julie
But I prefer happiness and poverty, to unhappiness and wealth.
Mme. Mercadet
My child, happiness is impossible in poverty, while there is no
misfortune that wealth cannot alleviate.
Julie
How can you say such sad words to me?
Mme. Mercadet
Children should learn a lesson from the experience of parents. We are
at present having a very bitter taste of life's vicissitudes. Take my
advice, daughter, and marry wealth.
Justin (entering, followed by Therese and Virginie)
Madame, we have carried out the master's orders.
Virginie
My dinner will be ready.
Therese
And the tradesmen have consented.
Justin
As far as concerns M. Verdelin--
SCENE TENTH
The same persons and Mercadet (carrying a bundle of papers).
Mercadet
What did my friend Verdelin say?
Justin
He will be here in a moment. He was just on his way here to bring some
money to M. Bredif, the owner of this house.
Mercadet
Bredif is a millionaire. Take care that Verdelin speaks to me before
going up to him. How did you get on, Therese, with the milliners and
dressmakers?
Therese
Sir, as soon as I gave them a promise of payment, every one greeted me
with smiles.
Mercadet
Very good. And shall we have a fine dinner, Virginie?
Virginie
You will compliment it, sir, when you eat it.
Mercadet
And the tradespeople?
Virginie
They will wait your time.
Mercadet
I shall settle with you all to-morrow. You can go now. (They go out.)
A man who has his servants with him is like a minister who has the
press on his side!
Mme. Mercadet
And what of Pierquin?
Mercadet (showing the papers)
All that I could extort from him is as follows.--He will give me time,
and this negotiable paper in exchange for stock.--Also notes for
forty-seven thousand francs, to be collected from a man named
Michonnin, a gentleman broker, not considered very solvent, who may be
a crook but has a very rich aunt at Bordeaux; M. de la Brive is from
that district and I can learn from him if there is anything to be got
out of it.
Mme. Mercadet
But the tradesmen will soon arrive.
Mercadet
I shall be here to receive them. Now leave me, leave me, my dears.
(Exeunt the two ladies.)
SCENE ELEVENTH
Mercadet, then Violette.
Mercadet (walking up and down)
Yes, they will soon be here! And everything depends upon that somewhat
slippery friendship of Verdelin--a man whose fortune I made! Ah! when
a man has passed forty he learns that the world is peopled by the
ungrateful--I do not know where all the benefactors have gone to.
Verdelin and I have a high opinion of each other. He owes me
gratitude, I owe him money, and neither of us pays the other. And now,
in order to arrange the marriage of Julie, my business is to find a
thousand crowns in a pocket which pretends to be empty--to find
entrance into a heart in order to find entrance into a cash-box! What
an undertaking! Only women can do such things, and with men who are in
love with them.
Justin (without)
Yes, he is in.
Mercadet
It is he. (Violette appears.) Ah! my friend! It is dear old Violette!
Violette
This is the eleventh call within a week, my dear M. Mercadet, and my
actual necessity has driven me to wait for you three hours in the
street; I thought the truth was told me when I was assured that you
were in the country. But I came to-day--
Mercadet
Ah! Violette, old fellow, we are both hard up!
Violette
Humph! I don't think so. For my part, I've pledged everything I could
put in the pawn-shop.
Mercadet
So have we.
Violette
I have never reproached you with my ruin, for I believe it is your
intention to enrich me, as well as yourself; but still, fine words
butter no parsnips, and I am come to implore you to give me a small
sum on account, and by so doing you will save the lives of a whole
family.
Mercadet
My dear old Violette, you grieve me deeply! Be reasonable and I will
share with you. (In a low voice) We have scarcely a hundred francs in
the house, and even that is my daughter's money.
Violette
Is it possible! You, Mercadet, whom I have known so rich?
Mercadet
I conceal nothing from you.
Violette
Unfortunate people owe it to each other to speak the truth.
Mercadet
Ah! If that were the only thing they owed how prompt would be the
payment! But keep this as a secret, for I am on the point of making a
good match for my daughter.
Violette
I have two daughters, sir, and they work without hope of being
married! In your present circumstances I cannot press you, but my wife
and my daughters await my return in the deepest anxiety.
Mercadet
Stay a moment. I will give you sixty francs.
Violette
Ah! my wife and my girls will bless you. (Aside, while Mercadet leaves
the room for a moment.) The others who abuse him get nothing out of
him, but by appealing to his pity, little by little I get back my
money. (Chuckles and slaps his pocket.)
Mercadet (on the point of re-entering sees this action)
The beggarly old miser! Sixty francs on account paid ten times makes
six hundred francs. Come now, I have sown enough, it is time to reap
the harvest. (Aloud) Take this.
Violette
Sixty francs in gold! It is a long time since I have seen such a sum.
Good-bye, we sha'n't forget to pray for the speedy marriage of Mlle.
Mercadet.
Mercadet
Good-bye, dear old Violette. (Holding him by the hand.) Poor old man,
when I look at you, I think myself rich--your misfortunes touch me
deeply. And yesterday I thought I would soon be on the point of paying
back to you not only the interest but the principal of what I owe you.
Violette (turning back)
Paying me back! In full!
Mercadet
It was a close shave.
Violette
What was?
Mercadet
Imagine, my dear fellow, that there exists a most brilliant
opportunity, a most magnificent speculation, the most sublime
discovery--an affair which appeals to the interest of every one, which
will draw upon all the exchanges, and for the realization of which a
stupid banker has refused me the miserable sum of a thousand crowns--
when there is more than a million in sight.
Violette
A million!
Mercadet
Yes, a million, from the start. Afterwards no one can calculate where
the rage for protective pavement will stop.
Violette
Pavement?
Mercadet
Protective pavement. A pavement on which no barricade can be raised.
Violette
Really?
Mercadet
You see, that from henceforth all governments interested in the
preservation of order will become our chief shareholders--Ministers,
princes and kings will be our chief partners. Next come the gods of
finance, the great bankers, those of independent income in commerce
and speculation; even the socialists, seeing that their industry is
ruined, will be forced to buy stocks for a living from me!
Violette
Yes, it is fine! It is grand!
Mercadet
It is sublime and philanthropic! And to think I have been refused four
thousand francs, wherewith to send out advertisements and launch my
prospectus!
Violette
Four thousand francs! I thought it was only--
Mercadet
Four thousand francs, no more! And I was to give away for the loan a
half interest in the enterprise--that is to say a fortune! Ten
fortunes!
Violette
Listen--I will see--I will speak to some one--
Mercadet
Speak to no one! Keep it to yourself! The idea would at once be
snatched up--or perhaps they wouldn't understand it so well as you
have immediately done. These money dealers are so stupid. Besides, I
am expecting Verdelin here--
Violette
Verdelin--but--we might perhaps--
Mercadet
'Twill be lucky for Verdelin, if he has the brains to risk six
thousand francs in it.
Violette
But you said four thousand just now.
Mercadet
It was four thousand that they refused me, but I need six thousand!
Six thousand francs, and Verdelin, whom I have already made a
millionaire once, is likely to become so three, four, five times over!
But he will deserve it, for he is a clever fellow, is Verdelin.
Violette
Mercadet, I will find you the money.
Mercadet
No, no, don't think of it. Besides, he will be here in a moment, and
if I am to send him away without concluding the business with him, it
will be necessary to have it settled with some one else before
Verdelin comes--and, as that is impossible--good-bye--and good luck--I
shall certainly be able to pay you your thirty thousand francs.
Violette
But say--why couldn't I--?
Mme. Mercadet (entering)
M. Verdelin has come, my dear.
Mercadet (aside)
Good, good! (Aloud) Just detain him a minute. (Mme. Mercadet goes
out.) Well, good-bye, dear old Violette--
Violette (pulling out a greasy pocketbook)
Wait a moment--here, I have the money with me--and will give it you
beforehand.
Mercadet
You! Six thousand francs!
Violette
A friend asked me to invest it for him, and--
Mercadet
And you couldn't find a better opening. We'll sign the contract
presently! (He takes the bills.) This closes the deal--and so much the
worse for Verdelin--he has missed a gold mine!
Violette
Well, I'll see you later.
Mercadet
Yes--see you later! You can get out through my study.
(Mercadet shows Violette the way out. Mme. Mercadet enters.)
Mme. Mercadet
Mercadet!
Mercadet (reappearing)
Ah! my dear! I am an unfortunate man! I ought to blow my brains out.
Mme. Mercadet
Good heavens! What is the matter?
Mercadet
The matter is that a moment ago I asked this sham bankrupt Violette
for six thousand francs.
Mme. Mercadet
And he refused to give them to you?
Mercadet
On the contrary, he handed them over.
Mme. Mercadet
What, then, do you mean?
Mercadet
I am an unlucky man, as I told you, because he gave them so quickly
that I could have gotten ten thousand if I had only known it.
Mme. Mercadet
What a man you are! I suppose you know that Verdelin is waiting for
you.
Mercadet
Beg him to come in. At last I have Julie's trousseau; and we now need
only enough money for your dresses and for household expenses until
the marriage. Send in Verdelin.
Mme. Mercadet
Yes, he is your friend, and of course you will gain your end with him.
(Exit Mme. Mercadet.)
Mercadet (alone)
Yes, he is my friend! And he has all the pride that comes with
fortune; but he has never had a Godeau (looking round to see if he is
alone). After all, Godeau! I really believe that Godeau has brought me
in more money than he has taken from me.
SCENE TWELFTH
Mercadet and Verdelin.
Verdelin
Good-day, Mercadet. What is doing now? Tell me quickly for I was
stopped here on my way up-stairs to Bredif's apartment.
Mercadet
Oh, he can wait! How is it that you are going to see a man like
Bredif?
Verdelin (laughing)
My dear friend, if people only visited those they esteem they would
make no visits at all.
Mercadet (laughing and taking his hand)
A man wouldn't go even into his own house.
Verdelin
But tell me what you want with me?
Mercadet
Your question is so sudden that it hasn't left me time to gild the
pill.
Verdelin
Oh! my old comrade. I have nothing, and I am frank to say that even if
I had I could give you nothing. I have already lent you all that my
means permit me to dispose of; I have never asked you for payment, for
I am your friend as well as your creditor, and indeed, if my heart did
not overflow in gratitude towards you, if I had not been a man
different from ordinary men, the creditor would long ago have killed
the man. I tell you everything has a limit in this world.
Mercadet
Friendship has a limit, that's certain; but not misfortune.
Verdelin
If I were rich enough to save you altogether, to cancel your debt
entirely, I would do so with all my heart, for I admire your courage.
But you are bound to go under. Your last schemes, although cleverly
projected, have collapsed. You have ruined your reputation, you are
looked upon as a dangerous man. You have not known how to take
advantage of the momentary success of your operations. When you are
utterly beggared, you will always find bread at my house; but it is
the duty of a friend to speak these plain truths.
Mercadet
What would be the advantage of friendship unless it gave us the
pleasure of finding ourselves in the right, and seeing a friend in the
wrong--of being comfortable ourselves and seeing our friend in
difficulties and of paying compliment to ourselves by saying
disagreeable things to him? Is it true then that I am little thought
of on 'Change?
Verdelin
I do not say so much as that. No; you still pass for an honest man,
but necessity is forcing you to adopt expedients--
Mercadet
Which are not justified by the success which luckier men enjoy! Ah,
success! How many outrageous things go to make up success. You'll
learn that soon enough. Now, for instance, this morning I began to
bear the market on the mines of Basse-Indre, in order that you may
gain control of that enterprise before the favorable report of the
engineers is published.
Verdelin
Hush, Mercadet, can this be true? Ah! I see your genius there! (Puts
his arm around him.)
Mercadet
I say this in order that you may understand that I have no need of
advice, or of moralizing,--merely of money. Alas! I do not ask any
thing of you for myself, my dear friend, but I am about to make a
marriage for my daughter, and here we are actually, although secretly,
fallen into absolute destitution. We are in a house where poverty
reigns under the appearance of luxury. The power of promises, and of
credit, all is exhausted! 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 girl 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, and you give me your word of honor that you will send me--
Verdelin
The plate?
Mercadet
And the thousand crowns--
Verdelin
Ah! You still harp upon that! I have told you I cannot do it.
Mercadet (aside)
It is certain that this fellow will never die of heart failure.
(Aloud) And so it seems I am to be murdered by my best friend? Alas!
It is always thus! You are actually untouched by the memory of
Clarissa--and by the despair of a father! (He cries out towards the
chamber of his wife.) Ah! it is all over! I am in despair! I am going
to blow my brains out!
SCENE THIRTEENTH
The same persons, Mme. Mercadet and Julie.
Mme. Mercadet
What on earth is the matter with you, my dear?
Julie
How your voice frightened us, papa!
Mercadet
They heard us! See how they come, like two guardian angels! (He takes
them by the hand.) Ah! you melt my heart! (To Verdelin) Verdelin! Do
you wish to slay a whole family? This proof of their tenderness gives
me courage to fall at your feet.
Julie
Oh, sir! (She checks her father.) It is I who will implore you for
him. Whatever may be his demand, do not refuse my father; he must,
indeed, be in the most terrible anguish!
Mercadet
Dear child! (Aside) In what accents does she speak! I couldn't speak
so naturally as that.
Mme. Mercadet
M. Verdelin, listen to us--
Verdelin (to Julie)
You don't know what he is asking, do you?
Julie
No.
Verdelin
He is asking for a thousand crowns, in order to arrange your marriage.
Julie
Then, forget, sir, all that I said to you; I do not wish for a
marriage which has been purchased by the humiliation of my father.
Mercadet (aside)
She is magnificent!
Verdelin
Julie! I will go at once and get the money for you. (Exit.)
SCENE FOURTEENTH
The same persons, except Verdelin; then the servants.
Julie
Oh, father! Why did you not tell me?
Mercadet (kissing her)
You have saved us all! Ah! when shall I be so rich and powerful that I
may make him repent of a favor done so grudgingly?
Mme. Mercadet
Do not be unjust; Verdelin yielded to your request.
Mercadet
He yielded to the cry of Julie, not to my request. Ah! my dear, he has
extorted from me more than a thousand crowns' worth of humiliation!
Justin (coming in with Therese and Virginie)
The tradespeople.
Virginie
The milliner and the dressmaker--
Therese
And the dry-goods merchants.
Mercadet
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 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 son full of lofty sentiments, endowed with a courageous
soul, and--
Minard
Mademoiselle--Julie.
Julie
Let me finish; I must have my say.
Mercadet
My daughter, go and see your mother, and let me speak of matters which
are a great deal more material than these.
Julie
I will go, father--
Mercadet
Come back presently with your mother, my child.
(Mercadet kisses Julie and leads her to the door.)
Minard (aside)
I feel my hopes revive.
Mercadet (returning)
Sir, I am a ruined man.
Minard
What does that mean?
Mercadet
Totally ruined. And if you wish to have my Julie, you are welcome to
her. She will be much better off at your house, poor as you are, than
in her paternal home. Not only is she without dowry, but she is
burdened with poor parents--parents who are more than poor.
Minard
More than poor! There is nothing beyond that.
Mercadet
Yes, sir, we are in debt, deeply in debt, and some of these debts
clamor for payment.
Minard
No, no, it is impossible!
Mercadet
Don't you believe it? (Aside) He is getting frightened. (Taking up a
pile of papers from his desk. Aloud) Here, my would-be son-in-law, are
the family papers which will show you our fortune--
Minard
Sir--
Mercadet
Or rather our lack of fortune! Read-- Here is a writ of attachment on
our furniture.
Minard
Can it be possible?
Mercadet
It is perfectly possible! Here are judgments by the score! Here is a
writ of my arrest. You see in what straits we are! Here you see all my
sales, the protests on my notes and the judgments classed in order--
for, young man, understand well in a disordered condition of things,
order is above all things necessary. When disorder is well arranged it
can be relieved and controlled-- What can a debtor say when he sees
his debt entered up under his number? I make the government my model.
All payments are made in alphabetic order. I have not yet touched the
letter A. (He replaces the papers.)
Minard
You haven't yet paid anything?
Mercadet
Scarcely anything. You know the condition of my expenses. You know,
because you are a book-keeper. See, (picking up the papers again) the
total debit is three hundred and eighty thousand.
Minard
Yes, sir. The balance is entered here.
Mercadet
You can understand then how you must make me shudder when you come
before my daughter with your fine protestations! Since to marry a poor
girl with nothing but an income of eighteen hundred francs, is like
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 will have to snatch out of the hands of your children--
Minard
How wildly you talk!
Mercadet
And I, in spite of your generous efforts, shall fall, crushed under
the weight of disgraceful ruin. A brilliant marriage for my daughter
is the only means by which I would be enabled to discharge the
enormous sums I owe. It is only thus that in time I could regain
confidence and credit. With the aid of a rich son-in-law I can
reconquer my position, and recuperate my fortune! Why, the marriage of
my daughter is our last anchor of salvation! This marriage is our
hope, our wealth, the prop of our honor, sir! And since you love my
daughter, it is to this very love that I make my appeal. My friend, do
not condemn her to poverty; do not condemn her to a life of regret
over the loss and disgrace which she has brought upon her father!
Minard (in great distress)
But what do you ask me to do?
Mercadet (taking him by the hand)
I wish that this noble affection which you have for her, may arm you
with more courage than I myself possess.
Minard
I will show such courage--
Mercadet
Then listen to me. If I refuse Julie to you, Julie will refuse the man
I destine for her. It will be best, therefore, that I grant your
request for her hand, and that you be the one--
Minard
I!-- She will not believe it, sir--
Mercadet
She will believe you, if you tell her that you fear poverty for her.
Minard
She will accuse me of being a fortune hunter.
Mercadet
She will be indebted to you for having secured her happiness.
Minard (despairingly)
She will despise me, sir!
Mercadet
That is probable! But if I have read your heart aright, your love for
her is such that you will sacrifice yourself completely to the
happiness of her life. But here she comes, sir, and her mother is with
her. It is on their account that I make this request to you, sir; can
I count on you?
Minard
You--can.
Mercadet
Very good--I thank you.
SCENE THIRD
The preceding, Julie and Mme. Mercadet.
Julie
Come, mother, I am sure that Adolphe has triumphed over all obstacles.
Mme. Mercadet
My dear, M. Minard has asked of you the hand of Julie. What answer
have you given him?
Mercadet (going to the desk)
It is for him to say.
Mercadet (aside)
How can I tell her? My heart is breaking.
Julie
What have you got to say, Adolphe?
Minard
Mademoiselle--
Julie
Mademoiselle! Am I no longer Julie to you? Oh, tell me quickly. You
have settled everything with my father, have you not?
Minard
Your father has shown great confidence in me. He has revealed to me
his situation; he has told me--
Julie
Go on, please go on--
Mercadet
I have told him that we are ruined--
Julie
And this avowal has not changed your plans--your love--has it,
Adolphe?
Minard (ardently)
My love! (Mercadet, without being noticed, seizes his hand.) I should
be deceiving you--mademoiselle--(speaking with great effort)--if I
were to say that my intentions are unaltered.
Julie
Oh! It is impossible! Can it be you who speak to me in this strain?
Mme. Mercadet
Julie--
Minard (rousing himself)
There are some men to whom poverty adds energy; men capable of daily
self-sacrifice, of hourly toil; men who think themselves sufficiently
recompensed by a smile from a companion that they love--(checking
himself). I, mademoiselle am not one of these. The thought of poverty
dismays me. I--I could not endure the sight of your unhappiness.
Julie (bursting into tears and flinging herself into the arms of her
mother)
Oh! Mother! Mother! Mother!
Mme. Mercadet
My daughter--my poor Julie!
Minard (in a low voice to Mercadet)
Is this sufficient, sir?
Julie (without looking at Minard)
I should have had courage for both of us. I should always have greeted
you with a smile, I should have toiled without regret, and happiness
would always have reigned in our home. You could never have meant
this, Adolphe. You do not mean it.
Minard (in a low voice)
Let me go--let me leave the house, sir.
Mercadet
Come, then. (He retires to the back of the stage.)
Minard
Good-bye--Julie. A love that would have flung you into poverty is a
thoughtless love. I have preferred to show the love that sacrifices
itself to your happiness--
Julie
No, I trust you no longer. (In a low voice to her mother) My only
happiness would have been to be his.
Justin (announcing visitors)
M. de la Brive! M. de Mericourt!
Mercadet
Take your daughter away, madame. M. Minard, follow me. (To Justin) Ask
them to wait here for a while. (To Minard) I am well satisfied with
you.
(Mme. Mercadet and Julie, Mercadet and Minard go out in opposite
directions, while Justin admits Mericourt and De la Brive.)
SCENE FOURTH
De la Brive and Mericourt.
Justin
M. Mercadet begs that the gentlemen will wait for him here. (Exit.)
Mericourt
At last, my dear friend, you are on the ground, and you will be very
soon officially recognized as Mlle. Mercadet's intended! Steer your
bark well, for the father is a deep one.
De la Brive
That is what frightens me, for difficulties loom ahead.
Mericourt
I do not believe so; Mercadet is a speculator, rich to-day, to-morrow
possibly a beggar. With the little I know of his affairs from his
wife, I am led to believe that he is enchanted with the prospect of
depositing a part of his fortune in the name of his daughter, and of
obtaining a son-in-law capable of assisting him in carrying out his
financial schemes.
De la Brive
That is a good idea, and suits me exactly; but suppose he wishes to
find out too much about me.
Mericourt
I have given M. Mercadet an excellent account of you.
De la Brive
I have fallen upon my feet truly.
Mericourt
But you are not going to lose the dandy's self-possession? I quite
understand that your position is risky. A man would not marry,
excepting from utter despair. Marriage is suicide for the man of the
world. (In a low voice) Come, tell me--can you hold out much longer?
De la Brive
If I had not two names, one for the bailiffs and one for the
fashionable world, I should be banished from the Boulevard. Woman and
I, as you know, have wrought each the ruin of the other, and, as
fashion now goes, to find a rich Englishwoman, an amiable dowager, an
amorous gold mine, would be as impossible as to find an extinct
animal.
Mericourt
What of the gaming table?
De la Brive
Oh! Gambling is an unreliable resource excepting for certain crooks,
and I am not such a fool as to run the risk of disgrace for the sake
of winnings which always have their limit. Publicity, my dear friend,
has been the abolition of all those shady careers in which fortune
once was to be found. So, that for a hundred thousand francs of
accepted bills, the usurer gives me but ten thousand. Pierquin sent me
to one of his agents, a sort of sub-Pierquin, a little old man called
Violette, who said to my broker that he could not give me money on
such paper at any rate! Meanwhile my tailor has refused to bank upon
my prospects. My horse is living on credit; as to my tiger, the little
wretch who wears such fine clothes, I do now know how he lives, or
where he feeds. I dare not peer into the mystery. Now, as we are not
so advanced in civilization as the Jews, who canceled all debts every
half-century, a man must pay by the sacrifice of personal liberty.
Horrible things will be said about me. Here is a young man of high
esteem in the world of fashion, pretty lucky at cards, of a passable
figure, less than twenty-eight years old, and he is going to marry the
daughter of a rich speculator!
Mericourt
What difference does it make?
De la Brive
It is slightly off color! But I am tired of a sham life. I have
learned at last that the only way to amass wealth is to work. But our
misfortune is that we find ourselves quick at everything, but not good
at anything! A man like me, capable of inspiring a passion and of
maintaining it, cannot become either a clerk or a soldier! Society has
provided no employment for us. Accordingly, I am going to set up
business with Mercadet. He is one of the greatest of schemers. You are
sure that he won't give less than a hundred and fifty thousand francs
to his daughter.
Mericourt
Judge yourself, my dear friend, from the style which Mme. Mercadet
puts on; you see her at all the first nights, in her own box, at the
opera, and her conspicuous elegance--
De la Brive
I myself am elegant enough, but--
Mericourt
Look round you here--everything indicates opulence--Oh! they are well
off!
De la Brive
Yet, it is a sort of middle-class splendor, something substantial
which promises well.
Mericourt
And then the mother is a woman of principle, of irreproachable
behavior. Can you possibly conclude matters to-day?
De la Brive
I have taken steps to do so. I won at the club yesterday sufficient to
go on with; I shall pay something on the wedding presents, and let the
balance stand.
Mericourt
Without reckoning my account, what is the amount of your debts?
De la Brive
A mere trifle! A hundred and fifty thousand francs, which my father-
in-law will cut down to fifty thousand. I shall have a hundred
thousand francs left to begin life on. I always said that I should
never become rich until I hadn't a sou left.
Mericourt
Mercadet is an astute man; he will question you about your fortune;
are you prepared?
De la Brive
Am I not the landed proprietor of La Brive? Three thousand acres in
the Landes, which are worth thirty thousand francs, mortgaged for
forty-five thousand and capable of being floated by a stock jobbing
company for some commercial purpose or other, say, as representing a
capital of a hundred thousand crowns! You cannot imagine how much this
property has brought me in.
Mericourt
Your name, your horse, and your lands seem to me to be on their last
legs.
De la Brive
Not so loud!
Mericourt
So you have quite made up your mind?
De la Brive
Yes, and all the more decidedly in that I am going into politics.
Mericourt
Really--but you are too clever for that!
De la Brive
As a preparation I shall take to journalism.
Mericourt
And you have never written two lines in your life!
De la Brive
There are journalists who write and journalists who do not write. The
former are editors--and horses that drag the car; the latter, the
proprietors, who furnish the funds; these give oats to their horses
and keep the capital for themselves. I shall be a proprietor. You
merely have to put on a lofty air and exclaim: "The Eastern question
is a question of great importance and of wide influence, one about
which there cannot be two opinions!" You sum up a discussion by
declaiming: "England, sir, will always get the better of us!" or you
make an answer to some one whom you have heard speak for a long time
without paying attention to him: "We are advancing towards an abyss,
we have not yet passed through all the evolutions of the evolutionary
phase!" You say to a representative of labor: "Sir, I think there is
something to be done in this matter." A proprietor of a journal speaks
very little, rushes about and makes himself useful by doing for a man
in power what the latter cannot do himself. He is supposed to inspire
the articles, those I mean, which attract any notice! And then, if it
is absolutely necessary he undertakes to publish a yellow-backed
volume on some Utopian topic, so well written, so strong, that no one
opens it, although every one declares that he has read it! Then he is
looked upon as an earnest man, and ends by finding himself
acknowledged as somebody, instead of something.
Mericourt
Alas! What you say is too true, in these times!
De la Brive
And we ourselves are a startling proof of this! In order to claim a
part in political power you must not show what good but what harm you
can do. You must not alone possess talents, you must be able also to
inspire fear. Accordingly, the very day after my marriage, I shall
assume an air of seriousness, of profundity, of high principles! I can
take my choice, for we have in France a list of principles which is as
varied as a bill of fare. I elect to be a socialist! The word pleases
me! At every epoch, my dear friend, there are adjectives which form
the pass-words of ambition! Before 1789 a man called himself an
economist; in 1815 he was a liberal; the next party will call itself
the social party--perhaps because it is so unsocial. For in France you
must always take the opposite sense of a word to understand its
meaning.
Mericourt
Let me tell you privately, that you are now talking nothing but the
nonsense of masked ball chatter, which passes for wit among those who
do not indulge in it. What are you going to do when a certain definite
knowledge becomes necessary?
De la Brive
My dear friend! In every profession, whether of art, science or
literature, a man needs intellectual capital, special knowledge and
capacity. But in politics, my dear fellow, a man wins everything and
attains to everything by means of a single phrase--
Mericourt
What is that?
De la Brive
"The principles of my friends, the party for which I stand, look
for--"
Mericourt
Hush! Here comes the father-in-law!
SCENE FIFTH
The same persons and Mercadet.
Mercadet
Good-day, my dear Mericourt! (To De la Brive) The ladies have kept you
waiting, sir. Ah! They are putting on their finery. For myself, I was
just on the point of dismissing--whom do you think?--an aspirant to
the hand of Mlle. Julie. Poor young man! I was perhaps hard on him,
and yet I felt for him. He worships my daughter; but what could I do?
He has only ten thousand francs' income.
De la Brive
That wouldn't go very far!
Mercadet
A mere subsistence!
De la Brive
You're not the man to give a rich and clever girl to the first comer--
Mericourt
Certainly not.
Mercadet
Before the ladies come in, gentlemen, we must talk a little serious
business.
De la Brive (to Mericourt)
Now comes the tug of war!
(They all sit down.)
Mercadet (on the sofa)
Are you seriously in love with my daughter?
De la Brive
I love her passionately!
Mercadet
Passionately?
Mericourt (to his friend)
You are over-doing it.
De la Brive (to Mericourt)
Wait a moment. (Aloud) Sir, I am ambitious--and I saw in Mlle. Julie a
lady at once distinguished, full of intellect, possessed of charming
manners, who would never be out of place in the position in which my
fortune puts me; and such a wife is essential to the success of a
politician.
Mercadet
I understand! It is easy to find a woman, but it is very rare that a
man who wishes to be a minister or ambassador finds a wife. You are a
man of wit, sir. May I ask your political leaning?
De la Brive
Sir, I am a socialist.
Mercadet
That is a new move! But now let us talk of money matters.
Mericourt
It seems to me that the notary might attend to that.
De la Brive
No! M. Mercadet is right; it is best that we should attend to these
things ourselves.
Mercadet
True, sir.
De la Brive
Sir, my whole fortune consists in the estate which bears my name; it
has been in my family for a hundred and fifty years, and I hope will
never pass from us.
Mercadet
The possession of capital is perhaps more valuable in these days.
Capital is in your own hand. If a revolution breaks out, and we have
had many revolutions lately, capital follows us everywhere. Landed
property, on the contrary, must furnish funds for every one. There it
stands stock still like a fool to pay the taxes, while capital dodges
out of the way. But this is not real obstacle. What is the amount of
your land?
De la Brive
Three thousand acres, without a break.
Mercadet
Without a break?
Mericourt
Did I not tell you as much?
Mercadet
I never doubted it.
De la Brive
A chateau--
Mercadet
Good--
De la Brive
And salt marshes, which can be worked as soon as the administration
gives permission. They would yield enormous returns!
Mercadet
Ah, sir, why have we been so late in becoming acquainted! Your land,
then, must be on the seashore.
De la Brive
Without half a league of it.
Mercadet
And it is situated?
De la Brive
Near Bordeaux.
Mercadet
You have vineyards, then?
De la Brive
No! fortunately not, for the disposal of wines is a troublesome
matter, and, moreover, the cultivation of the vine is exceedingly
expensive. My estate was planted with pine trees by my grandfather, a
man of genius, who was wise enough to sacrifice himself to the welfare
of his descendants. Besides, I have furniture, which you know--
Mercadet
Sir, one moment, a man of business is always careful to dot his i's.
De la Brive (under his voice)
Now we're in for it!
Mercadet
With regard to your estate and your marshes,--I see all that can be
got out of these marshes. The best way of utilizing them would be to
form a company for the exploitation of the marshes of the Brive! There
is more than a million in it!
De la Brive
I quite understand that, sir. They need only to be thrown upon the
market.
Mercadet (aside)
These words indicate a certain intelligence in this young man. (Aloud)
Have you any debts? Is your estate mortgaged?
Mericourt
You would not think much of my friend if he had not debts.
De la Brive
I will be frank, sir, there is a mortgage of forty-five thousand
francs on my estate.
Mercadet (aside)
An innocent young man! he might easily-- (Rising from his seat. Aloud)
You have my consent; you shall be my son-in-law, and are the very man
I would choose for my daughter's husband. You do not realize what a
fortune you possess.
De la Brive (to Mericourt)
This is almost too good to be true.
Mericourt (to De la Brive)
He is dazzled by the good speculation which he sees ahead.
Mercadet (aside)
With government protection, which can be purchased, salt pits may be
established. I am saved! (Aloud) Allow me to shake hands with you,
after the English fashion. You fulfill all that I expected in a son-
in-law. I plainly see you have none of the narrowness of provincial
land-holders; we shall understand each other thoroughly.
De la Brive
You must not take it in bad part, sir, if I, on my part, ask you--
Mercadet
The amount of my daughter's fortune? I should have distrusted you if
you hadn't asked! My daughter has independent means; her mother
settles on her her own fortune, consisting of a small property--a farm
of two hundred acres, but in the very heart of Brie, and provided with
good buildings. Besides this, I shall give her two hundred thousand
francs, the interest of which will be for your use, until you find a
suitable investment for it. So you see, young man, we do not wish to
deceive you, we wish to keep the money moving; I like you, you please
me, for I see you have ambition.
De la Brive
Yes, sir.
Mercadet
You love luxury, extravagance; you wish to shine at Paris--
De la Brive
Yes, sir.
Mercadet
You see that I am already an old man, obliged to lay the load of my
ambition upon some congenial co-operator, and you shall be the one to
play the brilliant part.
De la Brive
Sir, had I been obliged to take my choice of all the fathers-in-law in
Paris, I should have given the preference to you. You are a man after
my own heart! Allow me to shake hands, after the English fashion!
(They shake hands for the second time.)
Mercadet (aside)
It seems too good to be true.
De la Brive (aside)
He fell head-first into my salt marshes!
Mercadet (aside)
He accepts an income from me!
(Mercadet retires towards the door on the left side.)
Mericourt (to De la Brive)
Are you satisfied?
De la Brive (to Mericourt)
I don't see the money for my debts.
Mericourt (to De la Brive)
Wait a moment. (To Mercadet) My friend does not dare to tell you of
it, but he is too honest for concealment. He has a few debts.
Mercadet
Oh, please tell me. I understand perfectly--I suppose it is about
fifty thousand you owe?
Mericourt
Very nearly--
De la Brive
Very nearly--
Mercadet
A mere trifle.
De la Brive (laughing)
Yes, a mere trifle!
Mercadet
They will serve as a subject of discussion between your wife and you;
yes, let her have the pleasure of-- But, we will pay them all. (Aside)
In shares of the La Brive salt pits. (Aloud) It is so small an amount.
(Aside) We will put up the capital of the salt marsh a hundred
thousand francs more. (Aloud) The matter is settled, son-in-law.
De la Brive
We will consider it settled, father-in-law.
Mercadet (aside)
I am saved!
De la Brive (aside)
I am saved!
SCENE SIXTH
The same persons, Mme. Mercadet and Julie.
Mercadet
Here are my wife and daughter.
Mericourt
Madame, allow me to present to you my friend, M. de la Brive, who
regards your daughter with--
De la Brive
With passionate admiration.
Mercadet
My daughter is exactly the woman to suit a politician.
De la Brive (to Mericourt. Gazing at Julie through his eyeglass)
A fine girl. (To Madame Mercadet) Like mother, like daughter. Madame,
I place my hopes under your protection.
Mme. Mercadet
Anyone introduced by M. Mericourt would be welcome here.
Julie (to her father)
What a coxcomb!
Mercadet (to his daughter)
He is enormously rich. We shall all be millionaires! He is an
excessively clever fellow. Now, do try and be amiable, as you ought to
be.
Julie (answering him)
What would you wish me to say to a dandy whom I have just seen for the
first time, and whom you destine for my husband?
De la Brive
May I be permitted to hope, mademoiselle, that you will look favorably
upon me?
Julie
My duty is to obey my father.
De la Brive
Young people are not always aware of the feelings which they inspire.
For two months I have been longing for the happiness of paying my
respects to you.
Julie
Who can be more flattered than I am, sir, to find that I have
attracted your attention?
Mme. Mercadet (to Mericourt)
He is a fine fellow. (Aloud) We hope that you and your friend M. de la
Brive will do us the pleasure of accepting our invitation to dine
without ceremony?
Mercadet
To take pot-luck with us. (To De la Brive) You must excuse our
simplicity.
Justin (entering, in a low voice to Mercadet)
M. Pierquin wishes to speak to you, monsieur.
Mercadet (low)
Pierquin?
Justin
He says it is concerning an important and urgent matter.
Mercadet
What can he want with me? Let him come in. (Justin goes out. Aloud) My
dear, these gentlemen must be tired. Won't you take them into the
drawing-room? M. de la Brive, give my daughter you arm.
De la Brive
Mademoiselle-- (offers her his arm)
Julie (aside)
He is handsome, he is rich--why does he choose me?
Mme. Mercadet
M. de Mericourt, will you come and see the picture which we are going
to raffle off for the benefit of the poor orphans?
Mericourt
With pleasure, madame.
Mercadet
Go on. I shall be with you in a moment.
SCENE SEVENTH
Mercadet (alone)
Well, after all, this time I have really secured fortune and the
happiness of Julie and the rest of us. For a son-in-law like this is a
veritable gold mine! Three thousand acres! A chateau! Salt marshes!
(He sits down at his desk.)
Pierquin (entering)
Good-day, Mercadet. I have come--
Mercadet
Rather inopportunely. But what do you wish?
Pierquin
I sha'n't detain you long. The bills of exchange I gave you this
morning, signed by a man called Michonnin, are absolutely valueless. I
told you this beforehand.
Mercadet
I know that.
Pierquin
I now offer you a thousand crowns for them.
Mercadet
That is either too much or too little! Anything for which you will
give that sum must be worth infinitely more. Some one is waiting for
me in the other room. I will bid you good-evening.
Pierquin
I will give you four thousand francs.
Mercadet
No!
Pierquin
Five--six thousand.
Mercadet
If you wish to play cards, keep to the gambling table. Why do you wish
to recover this paper?
Pierquin
Michonnin has insulted me. I wish to take vengeance on him; to send
him to jail.
Mercadet (rising)
Six thousand francs worth of vengeance! You are not a man to indulge
in luxuries of that kind.
Pierquin
I assure you--
Mercadet
Come, now, my friend, consider that for a satisfactory defamation of
character the code won't charge you more than five or six hundred
francs, and the tax on a blow is only fifty francs--
Pierquin
I swear to you--
Mercadet
Has this Michonnin come into a legacy? And are the forty-seven
thousand francs of these vouchers actually worth forty-seven thousand
francs? You should post me on this subject and then we'll cry halves!
Pierquin
Very well, I agree. The fact of it is, Michonnin is to be married.
Mercadet
What next! And with whom, pray?
Pierquin
With the daughter of some nabob--an idiot who is giving her an
enormous dowry.
Mercadet
Where does Michonnin live?
Pierquin
Do you want to issue a writ? He is without a fixed abode in Paris. His
furniture is held under the name of a friend; but his legal domicile
must be in the neighborhood of Bordeaux, in the village of Ermont.
Mercadet
Stay a while. I have some one here from that region. I can get exact
information in a moment--and then we can begin proceedings.
Pierquin
Send me the paper, and leave the business to me--
Mercadet
I shall be very glad to do so. They shall be put into your hands in
return for a signed agreement as to the sharing of the money. I am at
present altogether taken up with the marriage of my daughter.
Pierquin
I hope everything is going on well.
Mercadet
Wonderfully well. My son-in-law is a gentleman and, in spite of that,
he is rich. And, although both rich and a gentleman, he is clever into
the bargain.
Pierquin
I congratulate you.
Mercadet
One word with you before you go. You said, Michonnin, of Ermont, in
the neighborhood of Bordeaux?
Pierquin
Yes, he has an old aunt somewhere about there! A good woman called
Bourdillac, who scrapes along on some six hundred francs a year, but
to whom he gives the title of Marchioness of Bourdillac. He pretends
that her health is delicate and that she has a yearly income of forty
thousand francs.
Mercadet
Thank you. Good-evening--
Pierquin
Good-evening. (goes out)
Mercadet (ringing)
Justin!
Justin
Did you call, sir?
Mercadet
Ask M. de la Brive to speak with me for a moment. (Justin goes out.)
Mercadet
Here is a windfall of twenty-three thousand francs! We shall be able
to arrange things famously for Julie's marriage.
SCENE EIGHTH
Mercadet, De la Brive and Justin.
De la Brive (to Justin, handing him a letter)
Here, deliver this letter. And this is for yourself.
Justin (aside)
A louis! Mademoiselle will be sure to have a happy home. (Exit.)
De la Brive
You wish to speak with me, my dear father-in-law?
Mercadet
Yes. You see I already treat you without ceremony. Please to take a
seat.
De la Brive (sitting on a sofa)
I am grateful for your confidence.
Mercadet
I am seeking information with regard to a debtor, who, like you, lives
in the neighborhood of Bordeaux.
De la Brive
I know every one in that district.
Mercadet
It is said he has relations there.
De la Brive
Relations! I have none but an old aunt.
Mercadet (pricking up his ears)
An--old aunt--?
De la Brive
Whose health--
Mercadet (trembling)
Is--is--delicate?
De la Brive
And her income is forty thousand francs.
Mercadet (quite overcome)
Good Lord! The very figure!
De la Brive
The Marchioness, you see, will be a good woman to have on hand. I mean
the Marchioness--
Mercadet (vehemently rushing at him)
Of Bourdillac, sir!
De la Brive
How is this? Do you know her name?
Mercadet
Yes, and yours too!
De la Brive
The devil you do!
Mercadet
You are head over ears in debt; your furniture is held in another
man's name; your old aunt has a pittance of six hundred francs;
Pierquin, who is one of your smallest creditors, has forty-seven
thousand francs in notes of hand from you. You are Michonnin, and I am
the idiotic nabob!
De la Brive (stretching himself at full length on the sofa)
By heavens! You know just as much about it as I do!
Mercadet
Well--I see that once more the devil has taken a hand in my game.
De la Brive (aside, rising to his feet)
The marriage is over! I am no longer a socialist; I shall become a
communist.
Mercadet
And I have been just as easily deceived, as if I had been on the
Exchange.
De la Brive
Show yourself worthy of your reputation.
Mercadet
M. Michonnin, your conduct is more than blameworthy!
De la Brive
In what particular? Did I not say that I had debts?
Mercadet
We'll let that pass, for any one may have debts; but where is your
estate situated.
De la Brive
In the Landes.
Mercadet
And of what does it consist?
De la Brive
Of sand wastes, planted with firs.
Mercadet
Good to make toothpicks.
De la Brive
That's about it.
Mercadet
And it is worth?
De la Brive
Thirty thousand francs.
Mercadet
And mortgaged for--
De la Brive
Forty-five thousand!
Mercadet
And you had the skill to effect that?
De la Brive
Why, yes--
Mercadet
Damnation! But that was pretty clever! And your marshes, sir?
De la Brive
They border on the sea--
Mercadet
They are part of the ocean!
De la Brive
The people of that country are evil-minded enough to say so. That is
what hinders my loans!
Mercadet
It would be very difficult to issue ocean shares! Sir, I may tell you,
between ourselves, that your morality seems to me--
De la Brive
Somewhat--
Mercadet
Risky.
De la Brive (in anger)
Sir! (calming himself) Let this be merely between ourselves!
Mercadet
You gave a friend a bill of sale of your furniture, you sign your
notes of hand with the name of Michonnin, and you call yourself merely
De la Brive--
De la Brive
Well, sir, what are you going to do about it?
Mercadet
Do about it? I am going to lead you a pretty dance--
De la Brive
Sir, I am your guest! Moreover, I may deny everything-- What proofs
have you?
Mercadet
What proofs! I have in my hands forty-seven thousand francs' worth of
your notes.
De la Brive
Are they signed to the order of Pierquin?
Mercadet
Precisely so.
De la Brive
And you have had them since this morning?
Mercadet
Since this morning.
De la Brive
I see. You have given worthless stock in exchange for valueless notes.
Mercadet
Sir!
De la Brive
And, in order to seal the bargain, Pierquin, one of the least
important of your creditors, has given you a delay of three months.
Mercadet
Who told you that?
De la Brive
Who? Who? Pierquin himself, of course, as soon as he learned I was
going to make an arrangement--
Mercadet
The devil he did!
De la Brive
Ah! You were going to give two hundred thousand francs as a dowry to
your daughter, and you had debts to the amount of three hundred and
fifty thousand! Between ourselves it looks like you who had been
trying to swindle the son-in-law, sir--
Mercadet (angrily)
Sir! (calming himself) This is merely between ourselves, sir.
De la Brive
You took advantage of my inexperience!
Mercadet
Of course I did! The inexperience of a man who raises a loan on his
sand wastes fifty per cent above their value.
De la Brive
Glass can be made out of sand!
Mercadet
That's a good idea!
De la Brive
Therefore, sir--
Mercadet
Silence! Promise me that this broken marriage-contract shall be kept
secret.
De la Brive
I swear it shall-- Ah! excepting to Pierquin. I have just written to
him to set his mind at rest.
Mercadet
Is that the letter you sent by Justin?
De la Brive
The very one.
Mercadet
And what have you told him?
De la Brive
The name of my father-in-law. Confound it!--I thought you were rich.
Mercadet (despairingly)
And you have written that to Pierquin? It's all up! This fresh defeat
will be known on the Exchange! But, any way, I am ruined! Suppose I
write to him-- Suppose I ask him-- (He goes to the table to write.)
SCENE NINTH
The same persons, Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Verdelin.
Mme. Mercadet
My friend, M. Verdelin.
Julie (to Verdelin)
Here is my father, sir.
Mercadet
Ah! It is you, is it, Verdelin--and you are come to dinner?
Verdelin
No, I am not come to dinner.
Mercadet (aside)
He knows all. He is furious!
Verdelin
And this gentleman is your son-in-law? (Verdelin bows to De la Brive.)
This is a fine marriage you are going to make!
Mercadet
The marriage, my dear sir, is not going to take place.
Julie
How happy I feel!
(De la Brive bows to Julie. She casts down her eyes.)
Mme. Mercadet (seizing her hand)
My dear daughter!
Mercadet
I have been deceived by Mericourt.
Verdelin
And you have played on me one of your tricks this morning, for the
purpose of getting a thousand crowns; but the whole incident has been
made public on the Exchange, and they think it a huge joke!
Mercadet
They have been informed, I suppose--
Verdelin
That your pocket-book is full of the notes of hand signed by your son-
in-law. And Pierquin tells me that your creditors are exasperated, and
are to meet to-night at the house of Goulard to conclude measures for
united action against you to-morrow!
Mercadet
To-night! To-morrow! Ah! I hear the knell of bankruptcy sound!
Verdelin
Yes, to-morrow they are going to send a prison cab for you.
Mme. Mercadet and Julie
God help us!
Mercadet
I see the carriage, the hearse of the speculator, carrying me to
Clichy!
Verdelin
They wish, as far as possible, to rid the Exchange of all sharpers!
Mercadet
They are fools, for in that case they will turn it into a desert! And
so I am ruined! Expelled from the Exchange with all the sequelae of
bankruptcy,--shame, beggary! I cannot believe it--it is impossible!
De la Brive
Believe me, sir, that I regret having been in some degree--
Mercadet (looking him in the face)
You! (in a low voice to him) Listen to me: you have hurried on my
destruction, but you have it in your power to help me to escape.
De la Brive
On what conditions?
Mercadet
I will make you a good offer! (Aloud, as they start toward opposite
doors) True, the idea is a bold one! But to-morrow, the 'Change will
recognize in me one of its master spirits.
Verdelin
What is he talking about?
Mercadet
To-morrow, all my debts will be paid, and the house of Mercadet will
be turning over millions! I shall be acknowledged as the Napoleon of
finance.
Verdelin
What a man he is!
Mercadet
And a Napoleon who meets no Waterloo!
Verdelin
But where are your troops?
Mercadet
My army is cash in hand! What answer can be made to a business man who
says, "Take your money!" Come let us dine now.
Verdelin
Certainly. I shall be delighted to dine with you.
Mercadet (while they all move towards the dining-room, aside)
They are all glad of it! To-morrow I will either command millions, or
rest in the damp winding-sheet of the Seine!
Curtain to the Second Act.
ACT III
SCENE FIRST
(Another apartment in Mercadet's house, well furnished. At the back
and in the centre is a mantel-piece, having instead of a mirror a
clear plate of glass; side doors; a large table, surrounded by chairs,
in the middle of the stage; sofa and armchairs.)
Justin, Therese and Virginie, then Mercadet.
(Justin enters first and beckons to Therese. Virginie, carrying
papers, sits insolently on the sofa. Justin looks through the keyhole
of the door on the left side and listens.)
Therese
Is it possible that they could pretend to conceal from us the
condition of their affairs?
Virginie
Old Gruneau tells me that the master is soon to be arrested; I hope
that what I have spent will be taken account of, for he owes me the
money for these bills, besides my wages!
Therese
Oh! set your mind at rest. We are likely to lose everything, for the
master is bankrupt.
Justin
I can't hear anything. They speak too low! They don't trust us.
Virginie
It is frightful!
Justin (with his ear to the half-open door)
Wait, I think I hear something.
(The door bursts open and Mercadet appears.)
Mercadet (to Justin)
Don't let me disturb you.
Justin
Sir, I--I--was just putting--
Mercadet
Really! (To Virginie, who jumps up suddenly from the sofa) Keep your
seat, Mlle. Virginie, and you, M. Justin, why didn't you come in? We
were talking about my business.
Justin
You amuse me, sir.
Mercadet
I am heartily glad of it.
Justin
You take trouble easy, sir.
Mercadet (severely)
That will do, all of you. And remember that from this time forth I see
all who call. Treat no one either with insolence or too much humility,
for you will meet here no creditors, but such as have been paid.
Justin
Oh, bosh!
Mercadet
Go!
(The central door opens. Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Minard appear. The
servants leave the room.)
SCENE SECOND
Mercadet, Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Minard.
Mercadet (aside)
I am annoyed to see my wife and daughter here. In my present
circumstances, women are likely to spoil everything, for they have
nerves. (Aloud) What is it, Mme. Mercadet?
Mme. Mercadet
Sir, you were counting on the marriage of Julie to establish your
credit and reassure your creditors, but the event of yesterday has put
you at their mercy--
Mercadet
Do you think so? Well, you are quite mistaken. I beg your pardon, M.
Minard, but what brings you here?
Minard
Sir--I--
Julie
Father--it is--
Mercadet
Are you come to ask again for my daughter?
Minard
Yes, sir.
Mercadet
But everybody says that I am going to fail--
Minard
I know it, sir.
Mercadet
And would you marry the daughter of a bankrupt?
Minard
Yes, for I would work to re-establish him.
Julie
That's good, Adolphe.
Mercadet (aside)
A fine young fellow. I will give him an interest in the first big
business I do.
Minard
I have made known my attachment to the man I look upon as a father. He
has informed me--that I am the possessor of a small fortune--
Mercadet
A fortune!
Minard
When I was confided to his care, a sum of money was entrusted to him,
which has increased by interest, and I now possess thirty thousand
francs.
Mercadet
Thirty thousand francs!
Minard
On learning of the disaster that had befallen you, I realized this
sum, and I bring it to you, sir; for sometimes in these cases an
arrangement can be made by paying something on account--
Mme. Mercadet
He has an excellent heart!
Julie (with pride)
Yes, indeed, papa!
Mercadet
Thirty thousand francs. (Aside) They might be tripled by buying some
of Verdelin's stock and then doubled with-- No, no. (To Minard) My
boy, you are at the age of self-sacrifice. If I could pay two hundred
francs with thirty thousand, the fortune of France, of myself and of
most people would be made. No, keep your money!
Minard
What! You refuse it?
Mercadet (aside)
If with this I could keep them quiet for a month, if by some bold
stoke I could revive the depression in my property, it might be all
right. But the money of these poor children, it cuts me to the heart
to think of it, for when they are in tears people calculate amiss; it
is not well to risk the money of any but fellow-brokers--no--no
(Aloud) Adolphe, you may marry my daughter.
Minard
Oh! Sir--Julie--my own Julie--
Mercadet
That is, of course, as soon as she has three hundred thousand francs
as dowry.
Mme. Mercadet
My dear!
Julie
Papa!
Minard
Ah, sir! How long are you going to put me off?
Mercadet
Put you off? She will have it in a month! Perhaps sooner--
All
How is that?
Mercadet
Yes, by the use of my brains--and a little money. (Minard holds out
his pocket-book.) But lock up those bills! And come, take away my wife
and daughter. I want to be alone.
Mme. Mercadet (aside)
Is he going to hatch some plot against his creditors? I must find out.
Come, Julie.
Julie
Papa, how good you are!
Mercadet
Nonsense!
Julie
I love you so much.
Mercadet
Nonsense!
Julie
Adolphe, I do not thank you, I shall have all my life for that.
Minard
Dearest Julie!
Mercadet (leading them out)
Come, now, you had better breathe out your idyls in some more retired
spot.
(They go out.)
SCENE THIRD
Mercadet, then De la Brive.
Mercadet
I have resisted--it was a good impulse! But I was wrong to obey it. If
I finally yield to the temptation, I can make their little capital
worth very much more. I shall manage this fortune for them. My poor
daughter has indeed a good lover. What hearts of gold are theirs! Dear
children! (Goes towards the door at the right.) I must make their
fortune. De la Brive is here awaiting me. (Looking through the open
door) I believe he is asleep. I gave him a little too much wine, so as
to handle him more easily. (Shouting) Michonnin! The constable! The
constable!
De la Brive (coming out, rubbing his eyes)
Hello! What are you saying?
Mercadet
Don't be frightened, I only wanted to wake you up. (Takes his seat at
the table.)
De la Brive (sitting at the other side of the table)
Sir, an orgie acts on the mind like a storm on the country. It brings
on refreshment, it clothes with verdure! And ideas spring forth and
bloom! /In vino varietas/!
Mercadet
Yesterday, our conversation on business matters was interrupted.
De la Brive
Father-in-law, I recall it distinctly--we recognized the fact that our
houses could not keep their engagements. We were on the point of
bankruptcy, and you are unfortunate enough to be my creditor, while I
am fortunate enough to be your debtor by the amount of forty-seven
thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs and some centimes.
Mercadet
Your head is level enough.
De la Brive
But my pocket and my conscience are a little out. Yet who can reproach
me? By squandering my fortune I have brought profit to every trade in
Paris, and even to those who do not know me. We, the useless ones! We,
the idlers! Upon my soul! It is we who keep up the circulation of
money--
Mercadet
By means of the money in circulation. Ah! you have all your wits about
you!
De la Brive
But I have nothing else.
Mercadet
Our wits are our mint. Is it not so? But, considering your present
situation, I shall be brief.
De la Brive
That is why I take a seat.
Mercadet
Listen to me. I see that you are going down the steep way which leads
to that daring cleverness for which fools blame successful operators.
You have tasted the piquant intoxicating fruits of Parisian pleasure.
You have made luxury the inseparable companion of your life. Paris
begins at the Place de l'Etoile, and ends at the Jockey Club. That is
your Paris, which is the world of women who are talked about too much,
or not at all.
De la Brive
That is true.
Mercadet
You breathe the cynical atmosphere of wits and journalists, the
atmosphere of the theatre and of the ministry. It is a vast sea in
which thousands are casting their nets! You must either continue this
existence, or blow your brains out!
De la Brive
No! For it is impossible to think that it can continue without me.
Mercadet
Do you feel that you have the genius to maintain yourself in style at
the height to which you aspire? To dominate men of mind by the power
of capital and superiority of intellect? Do you think that you will
always have skill enough to keep afloat between the two capes, which
have seen the life of elegance so often founder between the cheap
restaurant and the debtors' prison?
De la Brive
Why! You are breaking into my conscience like a burglar--you echo my
very thought! What do you want with me?
Mercadet
I wish to rescue you, by launching you into the world of business.
De la Brive
By what entrance?
Mercadet
Let me choose the door.
De la Brive
The devil!
Mercadet
Show yourself a man who will compromise himself for me--
De la Brive
But men of straw may be burnt.
Mercadet
You must be incombustible.
De la Brive
What are the terms of our copartnership?
Mercadet
You try to serve me in the desperate circumstances in which I am at
present, and I will make you a present of your forty-seven thousand,
two hundred and thirty-three francs, to say nothing of the centimes.
Between ourselves, I may say that only address is needed.
De la Brive
In the use of the pistol or the sword?
Mercadet
No one is to be killed; on the contrary--
De la Brive
That will suit me.
Mercadet
A man is to be brought to life again.
De la Brive
That doesn't suit me at all, my dear fellow. The legacy, the chest of
Harpagon, the little mule of Scapin and, indeed, all the farces which
have made us laugh on the ancient stage are not well received nowadays
in real life. The police have a way of getting mixed up with them, and
since the abolition of privileges, no one can administer a drubbing
with impunity.
Mercadet
Well, what do you think of five years in debtors' prison? Eh? What a
fate!
De la Brive
As a matter of fact, my decision must depend upon what you want me to
do to any one, for my honor so far is intact and is worth--
Mercadet
You must invest it well, for we shall have dire need of all that it is
worth. I want you to assist me in sitting at the table which the
Exchange always keeps spread, and we will gorge ourselves with the
good things there offered us, for you must admit that while those who
seek for millions have great difficulty in finding them, they are
never found by those who do not seek.
De la Brive
I think I can co-operate with you in this matter. You will return to
me my forty-seven thousand francs--
Mercadet
Yes, sir.
De la Brive
I am not required to be anything but be--very clever?
Mercadet
Nimble, but this nimbleness will be exercised, as the English say, on
the right side of the law.
De la Brive
What is it you propose?
Mercadet (giving him a paper)
Here are your written instructions. You are to represent something
like an uncle from America--in fact, my partner, who has just come
back from the West Indies.
De la Brive
I understand.
Mercadet
Go to the Champs-Elysees, secure a post-chaise that has been much
battered, have horses harnessed to it, and make your arrival here
wrapped in a great pelisse, your head enveloped in a huge cap, while
you shiver like a man who finds our summer icy cold. I will receive
you; I will conduct you in; you will speak to my creditors; not one of
them knows Godeau; you will make them give me more time.
De la Brive
How much time?
Mercadet
I need only two days--two days, in order that Pierquin may complete
certain purchases which we have ordered. Two days in order that the
stock which I know how to inflate may have time to rise. You will be
my backer, my security. And as no one will recognize you--
De la Brive
I shall cease to be this personage as soon as I have paid you forty-
seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs and some centimes.
Mercadet
That is so. But I hear some one--my wife--
Mme. Mercadet (enters)
My dear, there are some letters for you, and the bearer requires an
answer.
(Mme. Mercadet withdraws to the fireplace.)
Mercadet
I suppose I must go. Good-day, my dear De la Brive. (In a low voice)
Not a word to my wife; she would not understand the operation, and
would misconstrue it. (Aloud) Go quickly, and forget nothing.
De la Brive
You need have no fear.
(Mercadet goes out by the left; De la Brive starts to go out by the
centre, but Mme. Mercadet intercepts him.)
SCENE FOURTH
Mme. Mercadet and De la Brive.
De la Brive
Madame?
Mme. Mercadet
Forgive me, sir!
De la Brive
Kindly excuse me, madame, I must be going--
Mme. Mercadet
You must not go.
De la Brive
But you are not aware--
Mme. Mercadet
I know all.
De la Brive
How is that?
Mme. Mercadet
You and my husband are bent upon resorting to some very ancient
expedients proper to the comic drama, and I have employed one which is
more ancient still. And as I told you, I know all--
De la Brive (aside)
She must have been listening.
Mme. Mercadet
Sir, the part which you have been induced to undertake is blameworthy
and shameful, and you must give it up--
De la Brive
But after all, madame--
Mme. Mercadet
Oh! I know to whom I am speaking, sir; it was only a few hours ago
that I saw you for the first time, and yet--I think I know you.
De la Brive
Really? I am sure I do not know what opinion you have of me.
Mme. Mercadet
One day has given me time to form a correct judgment of you--and at
the very time that my husband was trying to discover some foible in
you he might make use of, or what evil passions he might rouse in you,
I looked in your heart and discerned that it still contained good
feelings which eventually may prove your salvation.
De la Brive
Prove my salvation? Excuse me, madame.
Mme. Mercadet
Yes, sir, prove your salvation and that of my husband; for both of you
are on the way to ruin. For you must understand that debts are no
disgrace to any one who admits them and toils for their payment. You
have your whole life before you, and you have too much good sense to
wish that it should be blighted through engaging in a business which
justice is sure to punish.
De la Brive
Justice! Ah! You are right, madame, and I certainly would not lend
myself to this dangerous comedy, unless your husband had some notes of
hand of mine--
Mme. Mercadet
Which he will surrender to you, sir, I'll promise you that.
De la Brive
But, madame, I cannot pay them--
Mme. Mercadet
We will be satisfied with your word, and you will discharge your
obligation as soon as you have honestly made your fortune.
De la Brive
Honestly! That will be perhaps a long time to wait.
Mme. Mercadet
We will be patient. And now, sir, go and inform my husband that he
must give up this attempt because he will not have your co-operation.
(She goes towards the door on the left.)
De la Brive
I should be rather afraid to face him-- I should prefer to write to
him.
Mme. Mercadet (pointing out to him the door by which he entered)
You will find the necessary writing materials in that room. Remain
there until I come for your letter. I will hand it to him myself.
De la Brive
I will do so, madame. After all I am not so worthless as I thought I
was. It is you who have taught me this; you have a right to the whole
credit of it. (He respectfully kisses her hand.) Thank you, madame,
thank you! (He goes out.)
Mme. Mercadet
I have succeeded--if only I could now persuade Mercadet.
Justin (entering from the center)
Madame--madame--here they are--all of them.
Mme. Mercadet
Who?
Justin
The creditors.
Mme. Mercadet
Already?
Justin
There are a great many of them, madame.
Mme. Mercadet
Let them come in here. I will go and inform my husband.
(Mme. Mercadet goes out by one door. Justin opens the other.)
SCENE FIFTH
Pierquin, Goulard, Violette and several other creditors.
Goulard
Gentlemen, we have quite made up our minds, have we not?
All
We have, we have--
Pierquin
No more deluding promises.
Goulard
No more prayers and expostulations.
Violette
No more pretended payments on account, thrown out as a bait to get
deeper into our pockets.
SCENE SIXTH
The same persons and Mercadet.
Mercadet
And do you mean to tell me that you gentlemen are come to force me
into bankruptcy?
Goulard
We shall do so, unless you find means to pay us in full this very day.
Mercadet
To-day!
Pierquin
This very day.
Mercadet (standing before the fireplace)
Do you think that I possess the plates for striking off Bank of France
notes?
Violette
You mean that you have no offer to make?
Mercadet
Absolutely none! And you are going to lock me up? I warn him who is
going to pay for the cab that he won't be reimbursed from any assets
of mine.
Goulard
I shall add that along with all that you owe me to the debit of your
account--
Mercadet
Thank you. You've all made up your mind, I suppose?
The Creditors
We have.
Mercadet
I am touched by your unanimity! (pulling out his watch) Two o'clock.
(Aside) De la Brive has had quite time enough--he ought to be on his
way here. (Aloud) Gentlemen, you compel me to admit that you are men
of inspiration and have chosen your time well!
Pierquin
What does he mean?
Mercadet
For months, for years, you have allowed yourselves to be humbugged by
fine promises, and deceived--yes, deceived by preposterous stories;
and to-day is the day you choose for showing yourselves inexorable!
Upon my word and honor, it is positively amusing! By all means let us
start for Clichy.
Goulard
But, sir--
Pierquin
He is laughing.
Violette (rising from his chair)
There is something in the wind. Gentlemen, there is something in the
wind!
Pierquin
Please explain to us--
Goulard
We desire to know--
Violette (rising to his feet)
M. Mercadet, if there is anything--tell us about it.
Mercadet (coming to the table)
Nothing! I shall say nothing, not I--I wish to be put behind the
bars!--I would like to see the figure you all will cut to-morrow or
this evening, when you find he has returned.
Goulard (rising to his feet)
He has returned?
Pierquin
Returned from where?
Violette
Who has returned?
Mercadet (coming forward)
Nobody has returned. Let us start for Clichy, gentlemen.
Goulard
But listen, if you are expecting any assistance--
Pierquin
If you have any hope that--
Violette
Or if even some considerable legacy--
Goulard
Come, now!
Pierquin
Answer--
Violette
Tell us--
Mercadet
Now, take care, I beg you. You are giving way, you are giving way,
gentlemen, and if I wished to take the trouble, I could win you over
again. Come now, act like genuine creditors! Ridicule the past, forget
the brilliant strokes of business I put within the power of each of
you before the sudden departure of my faithful Godeau--
Goulard
His faithful Godeau!
Pierquin
Ah! If there were only--
Mercadet
Forget all that preposterous past, take no account of what might
induce him to return--after being waited for so long--and--let us
start for Clichy, gentlemen, let us start for Clichy!
Violette
Mercadet, you are expecting Godeau, aren't you?
Mercadet
No!
Violette (as with a sudden inspiration)
Gentlemen, he is expecting Godeau!
Goulard
Can it be true?
Pierquin
Speak.
All
Speak! Speak!
Mercadet (with feeble deprecations)
Why, no, no--yet I do not know--I-- Certainly, it is possible that
some day or other he may return form the Indies with some--
considerable fortune-- (In a decided tone) But I give you my word of
honor that I don't expect Godeau here to-day.
Violette (excitedly)
Then it must be to-morrow! Gentlemen, he expects him to-morrow!
Goulard (in a low voice to the others)
Unless this is some fresh trick to gain time and ridicule us--
Pierquin (aloud)
Do you think it might be?
Goulard
It is quite possible.
Violette (in a loud tone)
Gentlemen, he is fooling us.
Mercadet (aside)
The devil he is! (Aloud) Come, gentlemen, we had better be starting.
Goulard
I swear that--
(The rumbling of carriage wheels is heard.)
Mercadet (aside)
At last! (Aloud) Oh, heavens! (He lays his hand upon his heart.)
A Postillion (outside)
A carriage at the door.
Mercadet
Ah! (Falls back on a chair near the table.)
Goulard (looking through the pane of glass above the mantel)
A carriage!
Pierquin (doing the same)
A post-chaise!
Violette (doing the same)
Gentlemen, a post-chaise is at the door.
Mercadet (aside)
My dear De la Brive could not have arrived at a better moment!
Goulard
See how dusty it is!
Violette
And battered to the very hood! It must have come from the heart of the
Indies, to be as battered as that.
Mercadet (mildly)
You don't know what you are talking about, Violette! Why, my good
fellow, people don't arrive from the Indies by land.
Goulard
But come and see for yourself, Mercadet; a man has stepped out--
Pierquin
Enveloped in a large pelisse--do come--
Mercadet
No--pardon me. The joy--the excitement--I--
Violette
He carries a chest. Oh! what a huge chest! Gentlemen, it is Godeau! I
recognize him by the chest.
Mercadet
Yes--I was expecting Godeau.
Goulard
He has come back from Calcutta.
Pierquin
With a fortune.
Mercadet
Of incalculable extent!
Violette
What have I been saying?
(Violette goes in silence to Mercadet and grasps his hand. The two
others follow his example, and then all the creditors form a ring
round Mercadet.)
Mercadet (with seeming emotion)
Oh! Gentlemen--my friends--my dear comrades--my children!
SCENE SEVENTH
The same persons and Mme. Mercadet.
Mme. Mercadet (entering from the left)
Mercadet! My dear!
Mercadet (aside)
It is my wife. I thought that she had gone out. She is going to ruin
everything!
Mme. Mercadet
My dear! I see that you don't know what has happened?
Mercadet
I? No, I don't--if I--
Mme. Mercadet
Godeau is returned.
Mercadet
Ah! You say? (Aside) I wonder if she suspects--
Mme. Mercadet
I have seen him--I have spoken to him. It was I who saw him first.
Mercadet (aside)
De la Brive has won her over! What a man he is! (To Mme. Mercadet,
low) Good, my dear wife, good! You will be our salvation.
Mme. Mercadet
But you don't understand me, it is really he, it is--
Mercadet (in a low voice)
Hush! (Aloud) I must--gentlemen--I must go and welcome him.
Mme. Mercadet
No--wait, wait a little, my dear; poor Godeau has overtaxed his
strength--scarcely had he reached my apartment when fatigue,
excitement and a nervous attack overcame him--
Mercadet
Really! (Aside) How well she does it!
Violette
Poor Godeau!
Mme. Mercadet
"Madame," he said to me, "go and see your husband. Bring me back his
pardon; I do not wish to see him face to face, until I have repaired
the past."
Goulard
That was fine.
Pierquin
It was sublime.
Violette
It melts me to tears, gentlemen, it melts me to tears.
Mercadet (aside)
Look at that! Well! There's a woman worth calling a wife! (Taking her
by the hand) My darling-- Excuse me, gentlemen. (He kisses her on both
cheeks. In a low voice) Things are going on finely.
Mme. Mercadet (in a low voice)
How lucky this is, my dear! Better than anything you could have
fancied.
Mercadet
I should think so. (Aside) It is very much better. (Aloud) Go and look
after him, my dear. And you, gentlemen, be good enough to pass into my
office. (He points to the left.) Wait there till we settle our
accounts.
(Mme. Mercadet goes out.)
Goulard
I am at your service, my friend--
Pierquin
Our excellent friend.
Violette
Friend, we are at your service.
Mercadet (supporting himself half-dazed against the table)
What do you think? And people said that I was nothing but a sharper!
Goulard
You! You are one of the most capable men in Paris.
Pierquin
Who is bound to make a million--as soon as he has a--
Violette
Dear M. Mercadet, we will give you as much time as you want.
All
Certainly.
Mercadet
This is a little late--but gentlemen, I thank you as heartily as if
you had said it yesterday morning. Good-day. (In a low voice to
Goulard) Within an hour your stock shall be sold--
Goulard
Good!
Mercadet (in a low voice to Pierquin)
Stay where you are.
(All the others enter the office.)
Pierquin
What can I do for you?
SCENE EIGHTH
Mercadet and Pierquin.
Mercadet
We are now alone. There is no time to lose. The stock of Basse-Indre
went down yesterday. Go to the Exchange, buy up two hundred, three
hundred, four hundred--Goulard will deliver them to you--
Pierquin
And for what date, and on what collateral?
Mercadet
Collateral? Nonsense! This is a cash deal; bring them to me to-day,
and I will pay to-morrow.
Pierquin
To-morrow?
Mercadet
To-morrow the stock will have risen.
Pierquin
I suppose, considering your situation, that you are buying for Godeau.
Mercadet
Do you think so?
Pierquin
I presume he gave his orders in the letter which announced his return.
Mercadet
Possibly so. Ah! Master Pierquin, we are going to take a hand in
business again, and I guess that you will gain from this to the end of
the year something like a hundred thousand francs in brokerage from
us.
Pierquin
A hundred thousand francs!
Mercadet
Let the stock be depressed below par, and then buy it in, and--
(handing him a letter) see that this letter appears in the evening
paper. This evening, at Tortoni's, you will see an immediate rise in
the quotations. Now be quick about this.
Pierquin
I will fly. Good-bye. (Exit.)
SCENE NINTH
Mercadet, then Justin.
Mercadet
How well everything is going on, when we consider our recent
complications! When Mahomet had three reliable friends (and it was
hard to find them) the whole world was his! I have now won over as my
allies all my creditors, thanks to the pretended arrival of Godeau.
And I gain eight days, which means fifteen, with regard to actual
payment. I shall buy three hundred thousand francs' worth of Basse-
Indre before Verdelin. And when Verdelin asks for some of that stock,
he will find it has risen, for a demand will have raised it above the
current quotation, and I shall make at one stroke six hundred thousand
francs. With three hundred thousand I will pay my creditors and show
myself a Napoleon of finance. (He struts up and down.)
Justin (from the back of the stage)
Sir--
Mercadet
What is it--what do you want, Justin?
Justin
Sir--
Mercadet
Go on! Tell me.
Justin
M. Violette has offered me sixty francs if I will let him speak with
M. Godeau.
Mercadet
Sixty francs. (Aside) He fleeced me out of them.
Justin
I am sure, sir, that you wouldn't like me to lose such a present.
Mercadet
Let him have his way with you.
Justin
Ah! sir, but--M. Goulard also--and the others--
Mercadet
Do as you like--I give them over into your hands. Fleece them well!
Justin
I'll do my best. Thank you, sir.
Mercadet
Let them all see Godeau. (Aside) De la Brive is well able to look
after himself. (Aloud) But, between ourselves, keep Pierquin away.
(Aside) He would recognize his dear friend, Michonnin.
Justin
I understand, sir. Ah! here is M. Minard. (Exit.)
SCENE TENTH
Mercadet and Minard.
Minard (coming forward)
Ah, sir!
Mercadet
Well, M. Minard, and what brings you here?
Minard
Despair.
Mercadet
Despair?
Minard
M. Godeau has come back; and they say that you are now a millionaire!
Mercadet
Is that the cause of your despair?
Minard
Yes, sir.
Mercadet
Well, you are a strange fellow! I disclose to you the fact of my ruin
and you are delighted. You learn that good fortune has returned to me
and you are overwhelmed with despair! And all the while you wish to
enter into my family! Yet you act like my enemy--
Minard
It is just my love that makes your good fortune so alarming to me; I
fear all the while that you will now refuse me the hand--
Mercadet
Of Julie? My dear Adolphe, all men of business have not put their
heart in their money-bags. Our sentiments are not always to be
reckoned by debit and credit. You offered me the thirty thousand
francs that you possessed--I certainly have no right to reject you on
account of certain millions. (Aside) Which I do not possess!
Minard
You bring back life to me.
Mercadet
Well, I suppose that is true, but so much the better, for I am very
fond of you. You are simple, honorable. I am touched, I am delighted.
I am even charmed. Ah! Let me once get hold of my six hundred thousand
francs and--(Sees Pierquin enter) Here they come--
SCENE ELEVENTH
The same persons, Pierquin and Verdelin.
Mercadet (leading Pierquin to the front of the stage without perceiving
Verdelin)
Is it all right?
Pierquin (in some embarrassment)
It is all right. The stock is ours.
Mercadet (joyfully)
Bravo!
Verdelin (approaching Mercadet)
Good-day!
Mercadet
What! Verdelin--
Verdelin
I find out that you have bought the stock before me, and that now I
shall have to pay very much higher than I expected; but it is all
right, it was well managed, and I am compelled to cry, "Hail to the
King of the Exchange, Hail to the Napoleon of Finance!" (He laughs
derisively.)
Mercadet (somewhat abashed)
What does he mean?
Verdelin
I'm only repeating what you said yesterday--
Mercadet
What I said?
Pierquin
The fact of it is, Verdelin does not believe in the return of Godeau--
Minard
Ah, sir!
Mercadet
Is there any doubt about it?
Verdelin (ironically)
Doubt about it! There is more than doubt about it. I at once concluded
that this so-called return was the bold stroke that you spoke of
yesterday.
Mercadet
I--(Aside) Stupid of me!
Verdelin
I concluded that, relying upon the presence of this fictitious Godeau,
you made purchases with the idea of paying on the rise, which would
follow to-morrow, and that to-day you have actually not a single sou--
Mercadet
You had imagined all that?
Verdelin (approaching the fireplace)
Yes, but when I saw outside that triumphal post-chaise--that model of
Indian manufacture, and I realized that it was impossible to find such
a vehicle in the Champs-Elysees, all my doubts disappeared and-- But
hand him over the bonds, M. Pierquin!
Pierquin
The--bonds--it happens that--
Mercadet (aside)
I must bluff, or I am lost! (Aloud) Certainly, produce the bonds.
Pierquin
One moment--if what this gentleman has said is true--
Mercadet (haughtily)
M. Pierquin!
Minard
But, gentlemen--M. Godeau is here--I have seen him--I have talked with
him.
Mercadet (to Pierquin)
He has talked with him, sir.
Pierquin (to Verdelin)
The fact of it is, I have seen him myself.
Verdelin
I don't doubt it! By the bye, on what vessel did our friend Godeau say
he arrived?
Mercadet
By what vessel? It was by the--by the /Triton/--
Verdelin
How careless the English newspapers are. They have published the
arrival of no other English mail packet but the /Halcyon/.
Pierquin
Really!
Mercadet
Let us end this discussion. M. Pierquin--those bonds--
Pierquin
Pardon me, but as you have offered no collateral, I would wish--I do
wish to speak with Godeau.
Mercadet
You shall not speak with him, sir. I cannot permit you to doubt my
word.
Verdelin
This is superb.
Mercadet
M. Minard, go to Godeau-- Tell him that I have obtained an option on
three hundred thousand francs' worth of stock, and ask him to send me
--(with emphasis)--thirty thousand francs for use as a margin. A man
in his position always has such a sum about him. (In a low voice) Do
not fail to bring me the thirty thousand.
Minard
Yes, sir. (Goes out, through the right.)
Mercadet (haughtily)
Will that satisfy you, M. Pierquin?
Pierquin
Certainly, certainly. (To Verdelin) It will be all right when he comes
back.
Verdelin (rising from his seat)
And you expect that he will bring thirty thousand francs?
Mercadet
I have a perfect right to be offended by your insulting doubt; but I
am still your debtor--
Verdelin
Bosh! You have enough in Godeau's pocket-book wherewith to liquidate;
besides, to-morrow the Basse-Indre will rise above par. It will go up,
up, till you don't know how far it will go. Your letter worked
wonders, and we were obliged to publish on the Exchange the results of
our explorations by boring. The mines will become as valuable as those
of Mons--and--your fortune is made--when I thought I was going to make
mine.
Mercadet
I now understand your rage. (To Pierquin) And this is the origin of
all the doubtful rumors.
Verdelin
Rumors which can only vanish before the appearance of Godeau's cash.
SCENE TWELFTH
The same persons, Violette and Goulard.
Goulard
Ah! my friend!
Violette (following him)
My dear Mercadet!
Goulard
What a man this Godeau is!
Mercadet (aside)
Fine!
Violette
What high sense of honor he has!
Mercadet (aside)
That's pretty good!
Goulard
What magnanimity!
Mercadet (aside)
Prodigious!
Verdelin
Have you seen him?
Violette
Of course, I have!
Pierquin
Have you spoken to him?
Goulard
Just as I speak to you. And I have been paid.
All
Paid!
Mercadet
Paid? How--how have you been paid?
Goulard
In full. Fifty thousand in drafts.
Mercadet (aside)
That I can understand.
Goulard
And eight thousand francs net, in notes.
Mercadet
In bank-notes?
Goulard
Bank-notes.
Mercadet (aside)
It is past my understanding. Ah! Eight thousand! Minard might have
given them, so that now he'll bring me only twenty-two thousand.
Violette
And I--I, who would have been willing to make some reduction--I have
been paid in full!
Mercadet
All! (in a low voice to him) I suppose in drafts?
Violette
In first-class drafts to the amount of eighteen thousand francs.
Mercadet (aside)
What a fellow this De la Brive is!
Violette
And the balance, the other twelve thousand--
Verdelin
Yes--the balance?
Violette
In cash. Here it is. (He shows the bank-notes.)
Mercadet (aside)
Minard won't bring me more than ten.
Goulard (taking a seat at the table)
And this very moment he is paying in the same way all your creditors.
Mercadet
In the same way?
Violette (taking a seat at the table)
Yes, in drafts, in specie, and in bank-notes.
Mercadet (forgetting himself)
Lord, have mercy upon me! (Aside) Minard will bring me nothing at all.
Verdelin
What is the matter with you?
Mercadet
Me! Nothing--I--
SCENE THIRTEENTH
The same persons and Minard, followed by creditors.
Minard
I have done your errand.
Mercadet (trembling)
And you--have brought me--a few--bank-notes?
Minard
A few bank-notes? Of course. M. Godeau wouldn't let me even mention
the thirty thousand francs.
(Goulard and Violette rise. Minard stands before the table, surrounded
by creditors.)
Mercadet
I can quite understand that.
Minard
"You mean," he said, "a hundred thousand crowns; here are a hundred
thousand crowns, with my compliments!" (He pulls out a large roll of
bank-notes, which he places on the table.)
Mercadet (rushing to the table)
What the devil! (Looking at the notes) What is all this about?
Minard
The three hundred thousand francs.
Pierquin
My three hundred thousand francs!
Verdelin
The truth for once!
Mercadet (astounded)
Three hundred thousand francs! I see them! I touch them! I grasp them!
Three hundred thousand--where did you get them?
Minard
I told you he gave them to me.
Mercadet (with vehemence)
He!-- He--! Who is he?
Minard
Did not I say, M. Godeau?
Mercadet
What Godeau? Which Godeau?
Minard
Why the Godeau who has come back from the Indies.
Mercadet
From the Indies?
Violette
And who is paying all your debts.
Mercadet
What is this? I never expected to strike a Godeau of this kind.
Pierquin
He has gone crazy!
(All the other creditors gather at the back of the stage. Verdelin
approaches them, and speaks in a low voice.)
Verdelin (returning to Mercadet)
It's true enough! All are paid in full!
Mercadet
Paid? Every one of them? (Goes from one to the other and looks at the
bank-notes and the drafts they have.) Yes, all settled with--settled
in full! Ah! I see blue, red, violet! A rainbow seems to surround me.
SCENE FOURTEENTH
The same persons, Mme. Mercadet, Julie (entering at one side) and De
la Brive (entering at the other side).
Mme. Mercadet
My friend, M. Godeau, feels himself strong enough to see you all.
Mercadet
Come, daughter, wife, Adolphe, and my other friends, gather round me,
look at me. I know you would not deceive me.
Julie
What is the matter, father?
Mercadet
Tell me (seeing De la Brive come in) Michonnin, tell me frankly--
De la Brive
Luckily for me, sir, I followed the advice of madame--otherwise you
would have had two Godeaus at a time, for heaven has brought back to
you the genuine man.
Mercadet
You mean to say then--that he has really returned!
Verdelin
Do you mean to say that you didn't know it after all?
Mercadet (recovering himself, standing before the table and touching
the notes)
I--of course I did. Oh, fortune, all hail to thee, queen of monarchs,
archduchess of loans, princess of stocks and mother of credit! All
hail! Thou long sought for, and now for the thousandth time come home
to us from the Indies! Oh! I've always said that Godeau had a mind of
tireless energy and an honest heart! (Going up to his wife and
daughter) Kiss me!
Mme. Mercadet (in tears)
Ah! dear, dear husband!
Mercadet (supporting her)
And you, what courage you have shown in adversity!
Mme. Mercadet
But I am overcome by the happiness of seeing you saved--wealthy!
Mercadet
But honest! And yet I must tell you my wife, my children--I could not
have held out much longer--I was about to succumb--my mind always on
the rack--always on the defensive--a giant might have yielded. There
were moments when I longed to flee away-- Oh! For some place of
repose! Henceforth let us live in the country.
Mme. Mercadet
But you will soon grow weary of it.
Mercadet
No, for I shall be a witness in their happiness. (Pointing to Minard
and Julie.) And after all this financial traffic I shall devote myself
to agriculture; the study of agriculture will never prove tedious. (To
the creditors) Gentlemen, we will continue to be good friends, but
will have no more business transactions. (To De la Brive) M. de la
Brive, let me pay back to you your forty-eight thousand francs.
De la Brive
Ah! sir--
Mercadet
And I will lend you ten thousand more.
De la Brive
Ten thousand francs? But I don't know when I shall be able--
Mercadet
You need have no scruples; take them--for I have a scheme--
De la Brive
I accept them.
Mercadet
Ah! It is one of my dreams. Gentlemen (to the creditors who are
standing in a row) I am a--creditor!
Mme. Mercadet (pointing to the door)
My dear, he is waiting for us.
Mercadet
Yes, let us go in. I have so many times drawn your attention to
Godeau, that I certainly have the right to see him. Let us go in and
see Godeau!
Final curtain.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mercadet, by Honore De Balzac
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