MAIRAUT. I tell you this is infamous! Infamous! I’ve thought so for a long time, ever since the day you wouldn’t let me speak out about Uncle Maréchal. I said nothing because I was afraid of you. For thirty years I have said nothing. But now this is too much, and I say what I think. It’s an infamy. Come what may, I will say it. Sit down. I tell you it’s an infamy. Rogues have been meddling with these children’s lives too long; it’s time for honest men to take a hand in them. I’m going to do it. MME. MAIRAUT. Pay no attention to him. He’s out of his senses. MAIRAUT. Be silent, you. M. and Madame Dupont, this is what I have to say to you. An effort must be made to reconcile Julie and Antonin. If this is impossible, _I_ will pay you back the thirty thousand francs. MME. MAIRAUT [_with a scream_] Good Heavens, what is he saying? MAIRAUT. I will return the thirty thousand francs, and you’ll see after that if my precious son won’t be the first to talk of a divorce. MME. MAIRAUT [_to her husband_] You shall pay for this when we get home. MAIRAUT. As you please. And now be off, and be quick about it. [_Madame Mairaut goes out_]. Au revoir, M. and Madame Dupont. Do what you can on your side, and I will try and make Antonin come and beg his wife’s pardon. DUPONT. Good evening, M. Mairaut. MME. DUPONT. Count on me, M. Mairaut, and give me your hand. You’re a good man. MAIRAUT [_as he goes_] That’s all right. [_He goes_]. DUPONT. Are you really going to try? MME. DUPONT. Yes. DUPONT. But since old Mairaut is willing to give back the money. MME. DUPONT. I won’t make up my mind to a divorce until I’m absolutely convinced there’s no other way. DUPONT. But there is no other way. You said so yourself. MME. DUPONT. Are you sure you aren’t thinking more of your money than of the happiness of your child? DUPONT. I! Well, I declare! Are you taking a leaf out of old Mairaut’s book? MME. DUPONT [_gravely_] Perhaps so. _Madame Mairaut returns._ MME. MAIRAUT. I have come back for two things. First, to advise you not to count too much on my husband’s promise. Next, to thank you for the fresh insult you have put upon us. DUPONT. What insult? MME. MAIRAUT. You don’t know, I suppose, to whom Mlle. Caroline has given half her legacy? DUPONT. No. But I shall be glad to learn. MME. MAIRAUT. To your clerk, Courthezon. DUPONT. Courthezon? It’s a lie! MME. DUPONT. Courthezon! MME. MAIRAUT. She has just told me so herself. _Caroline comes in._ MME. DUPONT. { Caroline, is it really to Courthezon that { you’ve given the fifteen thousand { francs? { DUPONT. { You have given fifteen thousand francs { to Courthezon! { MME. MAIRAUT. { Isn’t it to Courthezon that you have { given the fifteen thousand francs? CAROLINE. Yes. DUPONT. You are crazy! MME. DUPONT. What possessed you to do that?