MARTINEL Well, that is not the only thing, is it? I am very happy that the affair is over--although my life has been spent in the midst of difficulties. MME. DE RONCHARD What! Your life? MARTINEL I mean commercial difficulties, not matrimonial. MME. DE RONCHARD What commercial difficulties can you have--you, a Croesus who has just given five hundred thousand francs in dowry to his nephew. [_With a sigh._] Five hundred thousand francs! Just what my late husband squandered. MARTINEL Oh! Yes, I know that, Madame de Ronchard. MME. DE RONCHARD [_sighs again_] I was ruined and deserted after just one year of married life, Monsieur--one year. I just had time to realize how happy I could be, for the scoundrel, the wretch, knew how to make me love him. MARTINEL Then he was a scoundrel? MME. DE RONCHARD Oh! Monsieur, he was a man of fashion. MARTINEL Well, that did not prevent him from-- MME. DE RONCHARD Oh, don't let us talk any more about my misfortunes. It would be too long and too sad, and everybody else is so happy here just now. MARTINEL And I am happier than anybody else, I assure you. My nephew is such a good fellow. I love him as I would a son. Now, as for myself, I made my fortune in trade-- MME. DE RONCHARD [_aside_] That is very evident. MARTINEL [_resumes_] In the sea-going trade. But my nephew will gain fame for our name by his renown as an artist; the only difference between us is that he makes his fortune with his brushes, and I have made mine with ships. Art, to-day, Madame, may be as important as trade, but it is less profitable. Take my nephew. Although he has made a very early success, it is I who have enabled him to. When my poor brother died, his wife following him almost immediately, I found myself, while quite a young man, left alone with this baby. Well, I made him learn everything that I could. He studied chemistry, music, and literature, but he had a leaning toward art more than to the other things. I assure you that I encouraged him in it, and you see how he has succeeded. He is only just thirty, is well known, and has just been decorated. MME. DE RONCHARD [_dryly_] Thirty years old, and only just decorated; that is slow for an artist. MARTINEL Pshaw! He will make up for lost time. [_Rises_] But I am afraid I am getting boastful. You must pardon me, I am a plain man, and just now a little exhilarated by dining. It is all Petitpré's fault. His Burgundy is excellent. It is a wine that you may say is a friend to wisdom. And we are accustomed to drink a good deal at Havre. [_Takes up his glass of brandy and finishes it._] MME. DE RONCHARD [_aside_] Surely that is enough about Havre. MARTINEL [_turns to_ Mme. de Ronchard] Well, there is a treaty between us--a treaty which will last--which no foolishness can break, such as that which has failed to break this marriage. MME. DE RONCHARD [_rises and crosses_ L.]