Mme. Mercadet But he is rich, you know. Julie But I prefer happiness and poverty, to unhappiness and wealth. Mme. Mercadet My child, happiness is impossible in poverty, while there is no misfortune that wealth cannot alleviate. Julie How can you say such sad words to me? Mme. Mercadet Children should learn a lesson from the experience of parents. We are at present having a very bitter taste of life's vicissitudes. Take my advice, daughter, and marry wealth. Justin (entering, followed by Therese and Virginie) Madame, we have carried out the master's orders. Virginie My dinner will be ready. Therese And the tradesmen have consented. Justin As far as concerns M. Verdelin-- SCENE TENTH The same persons and Mercadet (carrying a bundle of papers). Mercadet What did my friend Verdelin say? Justin He will be here in a moment. He was just on his way here to bring some money to M. Bredif, the owner of this house. Mercadet Bredif is a millionaire. Take care that Verdelin speaks to me before going up to him. How did you get on, Therese, with the milliners and dressmakers? Therese Sir, as soon as I gave them a promise of payment, every one greeted me with smiles. Mercadet Very good. And shall we have a fine dinner, Virginie? Virginie You will compliment it, sir, when you eat it. Mercadet And the tradespeople? Virginie They will wait your time. Mercadet I shall settle with you all to-morrow. You can go now. (They go out.) A man who has his servants with him is like a minister who has the press on his side! Mme. Mercadet And what of Pierquin? Mercadet (showing the papers) All that I could extort from him is as follows.--He will give me time, and this negotiable paper in exchange for stock.--Also notes for forty-seven thousand francs, to be collected from a man named Michonnin, a gentleman broker, not considered very solvent, who may be a crook but has a very rich aunt at Bordeaux; M. de la Brive is from that district and I can learn from him if there is anything to be got out of it. Mme. Mercadet But the tradesmen will soon arrive. Mercadet I shall be here to receive them. Now leave me, leave me, my dears. (Exeunt the two ladies.) SCENE ELEVENTH Mercadet, then Violette.