SCENE SEVENTH
Mercadet (alone) Well, after all, this time I have really secured fortune and the happiness of Julie and the rest of us. For a son-in-law like this is a veritable gold mine! Three thousand acres! A chateau! Salt marshes! (He sits down at his desk.)
Pierquin (entering)
Good-day, Mercadet. I have come—
Mercadet
Rather inopportunely. But what do you wish?
Pierquin I sha'n't detain you long. The bills of exchange I gave you this morning, signed by a man called Michonnin, are absolutely valueless. I told you this beforehand.
Mercadet
I know that.
Pierquin
I now offer you a thousand crowns for them.
Mercadet That is either too much or too little! Anything for which you will give that sum must be worth infinitely more. Some one is waiting for me in the other room. I will bid you good-evening.
Pierquin
I will give you four thousand francs.
Mercadet
No!