Mercadet
Thirty thousand francs!
Minard On learning of the disaster that had befallen you, I realized this sum, and I bring it to you, sir; for sometimes in these cases an arrangement can be made by paying something on account—
Mme. Mercadet
He has an excellent heart!
Julie (with pride)
Yes, indeed, papa!
Mercadet Thirty thousand francs. (Aside) They might be tripled by buying some of Verdelin's stock and then doubled with— No, no. (To Minard) My boy, you are at the age of self-sacrifice. If I could pay two hundred francs with thirty thousand, the fortune of France, of myself and of most people would be made. No, keep your money!
Minard
What! You refuse it?
Mercadet (aside) If with this I could keep them quiet for a month, if by some bold stoke I could revive the depression in my property, it might be all right. But the money of these poor children, it cuts me to the heart to think of it, for when they are in tears people calculate amiss; it is not well to risk the money of any but fellow-brokers—no—no (Aloud) Adolphe, you may marry my daughter.
Minard
Oh! Sir—Julie—my own Julie—
Mercadet That is, of course, as soon as she has three hundred thousand francs as dowry.
Mme. Mercadet
My dear!