Minard I thought that I already loved her with a love that was boundless, and now I love her a hundred times more. Mercadet The deuce you do! Minard Have you not led me to understand that she will have need of all my courage, of all my devotion! I will render her happy by other means than my tenderness; she shall feel grateful for all my efforts, she shall love me for my vigils, and for my toils. Mercadet You mean to tell me that you still wish to marry her? Minard Do I wish! When I believed that you were rich, I would not ask her of you without trembling, without feeling ashamed of my poverty; but now, sir, it is with assurance and with tranquillity of mind that I ask for her. Mercadet (to himself) I must admit that this is a love exceedingly true, sincere and noble! And such as I had believed it impossible to find in the whole world! (To Minard) Forgive me, young man, for the opinion I had of you-- forgive me, above all, for the disappointment I am about to cause you. Minard What do you mean? Mercadet M. Minard--Julie--cannot be your wife. Minard What is this, sir? Not be my wife? In spite of our love, in spite of all you have confided to me? Mercadet Yes, and just because of all I have confided to you. I have shown you Mercadet the rich man in his true colors. I am going to show you him as the skeptical man of business. I have frankly opened my books to you. I am now going to open my heart to you as frankly. Minard Speak out, sir, but remember how great my devotion to Mlle. Julie is. Remember that my self-sacrifice and unselfishness are equal to my love for her. Mercadet Let it be granted that by means of night-long vigils and toils you will make a living for Julie! But who will make a living for us, her father and mother? Minard Ah! sir--believe in me! Mercadet What! Are you going to work for four, instead of working for only two? The task will be too much for you! And the bread which you give to us, you will have to snatch out of the hands of your children-- Minard How wildly you talk! Mercadet And I, in spite of your generous efforts, shall fall, crushed under the weight of disgraceful ruin. A brilliant marriage for my daughter is the only means by which I would be enabled to discharge the enormous sums I owe. It is only thus that in time I could regain confidence and credit. With the aid of a rich son-in-law I can reconquer my position, and recuperate my fortune! Why, the marriage of my daughter is our last anchor of salvation! This marriage is our hope, our wealth, the prop of our honor, sir! And since you love my daughter, it is to this very love that I make my appeal. My friend, do not condemn her to poverty; do not condemn her to a life of regret over the loss and disgrace which she has brought upon her father! Minard (in great distress) But what do you ask me to do? Mercadet (taking him by the hand) I wish that this noble affection which you have for her, may arm you with more courage than I myself possess.