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?