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?