Mme. Rousseau Sir, I am in the most serious alarm. Dupre (offering her a seat) Pray be seated, madame. Rousseau If all she says be true, my son is still in difficulties. Dupre I pity you; I do indeed! Rousseau It seems as if I should never get free! This unfortunate affair has lasted for six months, and it seems to have cut ten years off my life. I have been forced to neglect the most magnificent speculations, financial combinations of absolute certitude, and to let them pass into the hands of others. And then came the trial! But when I thought the affair was all over, I have been compelled once more to leave my business, and to spend my precious time in these interviews and solicitations. Dupre I pity you; I do indeed! Mme. Rousseau Meanwhile it is impossible for me-- Rousseau It is all your fault, and that of your family. Mme. du Brocard, who at first used always to call me "my dear Rousseau"--because I had a few hundred thousand crowns-- Dupre Such a sum is a fine varnish for a man. Rousseau From pride and ambition, she threw herself at the head of M. de Verby. (De Verby and Mme. du Brocard listen.) Pretty couple they are! Two charming characters, one a military lobbyist, and the other an old hypocritical devotee! (The two withdraw their heads quickly.) Mme. Rousseau Sir, she is my sister! Dupre Really, you are going too far! Rousseau You do not know them! Sir, I address you once again, there is sure to be a new trial. What has become of that girl? Dupre That girl is to be my wife, sir. Rousseau and Mme. Rousseau Your wife! De Verby and Mme. du Brocard His wife! Dupre Yes, I shall marry her as soon as she regains her liberty--that is, provided she doesn't become the wife of your son! Rousseau The wife of my son!-- Mme. Rousseau What did he say? Dupre What is the matter? Does that astonish you? You're bound to entertain this proposal--and I demand that you do so. Rousseau (ironically) Ah! M. Dupre, I don't care a brass button about my son's union with Mlle. de Verby--the niece of a disreputable man! It was that fool of a Madame du Brocard who tried to bring about this grand match. But to come down to a daughter of a porter-- Dupre Her father is no longer that, sir! Rousseau What do you mean? Dupre He lost his place through your son, and he intends returning to the country, to live on the money-- (Rousseau listens attentively) on the money which you have promised to give him. Rousseau Ah! you are joking! Dupre On the contrary, I am quite serious. Your son will marry their daughter--and you will provide a pension for the old people. Rousseau Sir-- SCENE SEVENTH The same persons and Joseph (coming in pale and faint). Joseph M. Dupre, M. Dupre, save me! All three What has happened? What is the matter?