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?