Minard A few bank-notes? Of course. M. Godeau wouldn't let me even mention the thirty thousand francs. (Goulard and Violette rise. Minard stands before the table, surrounded by creditors.) Mercadet I can quite understand that. Minard "You mean," he said, "a hundred thousand crowns; here are a hundred thousand crowns, with my compliments!" (He pulls out a large roll of bank-notes, which he places on the table.) Mercadet (rushing to the table) What the devil! (Looking at the notes) What is all this about? Minard The three hundred thousand francs. Pierquin My three hundred thousand francs! Verdelin The truth for once! Mercadet (astounded) Three hundred thousand francs! I see them! I touch them! I grasp them! Three hundred thousand--where did you get them? Minard I told you he gave them to me. Mercadet (with vehemence) He!-- He--! Who is he? Minard Did not I say, M. Godeau? Mercadet What Godeau? Which Godeau? Minard Why the Godeau who has come back from the Indies. Mercadet From the Indies? Violette And who is paying all your debts. Mercadet What is this? I never expected to strike a Godeau of this kind. Pierquin He has gone crazy! (All the other creditors gather at the back of the stage. Verdelin approaches them, and speaks in a low voice.) Verdelin (returning to Mercadet) It's true enough! All are paid in full! Mercadet Paid? Every one of them? (Goes from one to the other and looks at the bank-notes and the drafts they have.) Yes, all settled with--settled in full! Ah! I see blue, red, violet! A rainbow seems to surround me. SCENE FOURTEENTH The same persons, Mme. Mercadet, Julie (entering at one side) and De la Brive (entering at the other side). Mme. Mercadet My friend, M. Godeau, feels himself strong enough to see you all. Mercadet Come, daughter, wife, Adolphe, and my other friends, gather round me, look at me. I know you would not deceive me. Julie What is the matter, father? Mercadet Tell me (seeing De la Brive come in) Michonnin, tell me frankly-- De la Brive Luckily for me, sir, I followed the advice of madame--otherwise you would have had two Godeaus at a time, for heaven has brought back to you the genuine man. Mercadet You mean to say then--that he has really returned! Verdelin Do you mean to say that you didn't know it after all? Mercadet (recovering himself, standing before the table and touching the notes) I--of course I did. Oh, fortune, all hail to thee, queen of monarchs, archduchess of loans, princess of stocks and mother of credit! All hail! Thou long sought for, and now for the thousandth time come home to us from the Indies! Oh! I've always said that Godeau had a mind of tireless energy and an honest heart! (Going up to his wife and daughter) Kiss me! Mme. Mercadet (in tears) Ah! dear, dear husband! Mercadet (supporting her) And you, what courage you have shown in adversity! Mme. Mercadet But I am overcome by the happiness of seeing you saved--wealthy!