The maid goes out.
ANTONIN. I must tell you, monsieur and madame, how flattered I am to find that the preliminaries have been settled between you and my parents on this important question. I do not know what will be the issue, but—
MME. DUPONT. It is we, monsieur, who are flattered. But you’ll see Julie in a moment. Of course she knows nothing.
MME. MAIRAUT. We might leave them to talk a little together, perhaps?
MME. DUPONT. By all means. We are going to the ball at the Gontiers’. She asked to be allowed—Here she is. [Julie comes in. Madame Mairaut advances to meet her] There is a crease in your dress, dear. [She takes her apart, saying to the Mairauts] Will you excuse me?
JULIE [in a low tone] Well?
MME. DUPONT. It rests entirely with you. We are going to leave you to talk together. Remember, it may be your last chance. Don’t throw it away.
JULIE. I have thought it over and I don’t intend to do as Caroline did. So if, after we have had a talk—
MME. DUPONT. You’ll have to manage him a little. He has a great eye for business. If you could make him think you would be useful in the bank.
JULIE. But I hate figures.