Mme. Mercadet Thank you all, you are good creatures. (Mercadet shrugs his shoulders.) Your master needs only time, he has so many schemes in his head!—a rich suitor has offered himself for Mlle. Julie, and if—
SCENE THIRD
The same persons and Mercadet.
Mercadet (interrupting his wife) My dearest! (The servants draw back a little. In a low voice to madame) And so this is how you speak to the servants! To-morrow they laugh at us. (To Justin) Justin, go at once to M. Verdelin's house, and ask him to come here, as I want to speak to him about a piece of business that will not admit of delay. Assume an air of mystery, for I must have him come. You, Therese, go to the tradesmen of Madame de Mercadet, and tell them, sharply, that they must send the things that have been ordered.—They will be paid for—yes—and cash, too—go at once. (Justin and Therese start.) Ah!—(They stop.) If—these people come to the house again, ask them to enter. (Mme. Mercadet takes a seat.)
Justin
These—these people?—
Therese and Virginie
These people? Eh!
Mercadet
Yes, these people—these creditors of mine!—
Mme. Mercadet
How is this, my dear?
Mercadet (taking a seat opposite his wife)
I am weary of solitude—I want their society. (To Justin and Therese)
That will do.
(Justin and Therese leave the room.)