Mercadet (rising abruptly to his feet) You ask if I have found a son-in-law! You actually throw a doubt upon this! You may refuse me, if you like, the means of effecting the happiness of my daughter, but do not insult me! I am fallen low indeed! O Verdelin! I would not for a thousand crowns have had such an idea of you, and you can never win absolution from me excepting by giving them. Verdelin (wishing to leave) I must go and see if I can-- Mercadet No! This is only another way of refusing me! Can I believe it? Will not you whom I have seen spend the same sum upon some such trifle as a passing love affair--will you not apply the thousand crowns to the performance of a good action? Verdelin (laughing) At the present time there are very few good actions, or transactions. Mercadet Ha! Ha! Ha! How witty! You are laughing, I see there is a reaction! Verdelin Ha! Ha! Ha! (He drops his hat.) Mercadet (picking up the hat and dusting it with his sleeve) Come now, old fellow. Haven't we seen life! We two began it together. What a lot of things we have said and done! Don't you recollect the good old time when we swore to be friends always through thick and thin? Verdelin Indeed, I do. And don't you recollect our party at Rambouillet, where I fought an officer of the Guard on your account? Mercadet I thought it was for the lovely Clarissa! Ah! But we were gay! We were young! And to-day we have our daughters, daughters old enough to marry! If Clarissa were alive now, she would blame your hesitation! Verdelin If she had lived, I should never have married. Mercadet Because you know what love is, that you do! So I may count upon you for dinner, and you give me your word of honor that you will send me-- Verdelin The plate? Mercadet And the thousand crowns-- Verdelin Ah! You still harp upon that! I have told you I cannot do it. Mercadet (aside) It is certain that this fellow will never die of heart failure. (Aloud) And so it seems I am to be murdered by my best friend? Alas! It is always thus! You are actually untouched by the memory of Clarissa--and by the despair of a father! (He cries out towards the chamber of his wife.) Ah! it is all over! I am in despair! I am going to blow my brains out! SCENE THIRTEENTH The same persons, Mme. Mercadet and Julie. Mme. Mercadet What on earth is the matter with you, my dear? Julie How your voice frightened us, papa! Mercadet They heard us! See how they come, like two guardian angels! (He takes them by the hand.) Ah! you melt my heart! (To Verdelin) Verdelin! Do you wish to slay a whole family? This proof of their tenderness gives me courage to fall at your feet. Julie Oh, sir! (She checks her father.) It is I who will implore you for him. Whatever may be his demand, do not refuse my father; he must, indeed, be in the most terrible anguish! Mercadet Dear child! (Aside) In what accents does she speak! I couldn't speak so naturally as that.