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!