Mercadet To-morrow, all my debts will be paid, and the house of Mercadet will be turning over millions! I shall be acknowledged as the Napoleon of finance.
Verdelin
What a man he is!
Mercadet
And a Napoleon who meets no Waterloo!
Verdelin
But where are your troops?
Mercadet My army is cash in hand! What answer can be made to a business man who says, “Take your money!” Come let us dine now.
Verdelin
Certainly. I shall be delighted to dine with you.
Mercadet (while they all move towards the dining-room, aside) They are all glad of it! To-morrow I will either command millions, or rest in the damp winding-sheet of the Seine!
Curtain to the Second Act.
ACT III
SCENE FIRST
(Another apartment in Mercadet’s house, well furnished. At the back and in the centre is a mantel-piece, having instead of a mirror a clear plate of glass; side doors; a large table, surrounded by chairs, in the middle of the stage; sofa and armchairs.)
Justin, Therese and Virginie, then Mercadet.
(Justin enters first and beckons to Therese. Virginie, carrying papers, sits insolently on the sofa. Justin looks through the keyhole of the door on the left side and listens.)
Therese Is it possible that they could pretend to conceal from us the condition of their affairs?
Virginie Old Gruneau tells me that the master is soon to be arrested; I hope that what I have spent will be taken account of, for he owes me the money for these bills, besides my wages!
Therese Oh! set your mind at rest. We are likely to lose everything, for the master is bankrupt.
Justin
I can’t hear anything. They speak too low! They don’t trust us.
Virginie
It is frightful!
Justin (with his ear to the half-open door)
Wait, I think I hear something.
(The door bursts open and Mercadet appears.)
Mercadet (to Justin)
Don’t let me disturb you.
Justin
Sir, I — I — was just putting —
Mercadet Really! (To Virginie, who jumps up suddenly from the sofa) Keep your seat, Mlle. Virginie, and you, M. Justin, why didn’t you come in? We were talking about my business.
Justin
You amuse me, sir.
Mercadet
I am heartily glad of it.
Justin
You take trouble easy, sir.
Mercadet (severely) That will do, all of you. And remember that from this time forth I see all who call. Treat no one either with insolence or too much humility, for you will meet here no creditors, but such as have been paid.
Justin
Oh, bosh!
Mercadet
Go!
(The central door opens. Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Minard appear. The servants leave the room.)
SCENE SECOND
Mercadet, Mme. Mercadet, Julie and Minard.
Mercadet (aside) I am annoyed to see my wife and daughter here. In my present circumstances, women are likely to spoil everything, for they have nerves. (Aloud) What is it, Mme. Mercadet?
Mme. Mercadet Sir, you were counting on the marriage of Julie to establish your credit and reassure your creditors, but the event of yesterday has put you at their mercy —
Mercadet
Do you think so? Well, you are quite mistaken. I beg your pardon, M.
Minard, but what brings you here?
Minard
Sir — I —
Julie
Father — it is —
Mercadet
Are you come to ask again for my daughter?
Minard
Yes, sir.
Mercadet
But everybody says that I am going to fail —
Minard
I know it, sir.
Mercadet
And would you marry the daughter of a bankrupt?
Minard
Yes, for I would work to re-establish him.
Julie
That’s good, Adolphe.
Mercadet (aside) A fine young fellow. I will give him an interest in the first big business I do.
Minard I have made known my attachment to the man I look upon as a father. He has informed me — that I am the possessor of a small fortune —
Mercadet
A fortune!
Minard When I was confided to his care, a sum of money was entrusted to him, which has increased by interest, and I now possess thirty thousand francs.
Mercadet
Thirty thousand francs!
Minard On learning of the disaster that had befallen you, I realized this sum, and I bring it to you, sir; for sometimes in these cases an arrangement can be made by paying something on account —
Mme. Mercadet
He has an excellent heart!
Julie (with pride)
Yes, indeed, papa!
Mercadet Thirty thousand francs. (Aside) They might be tripled by buying some of Verdelin’s stock and then doubled with — No, no. (To Minard) My boy, you are at the age of self-sacrifice. If I could pay two hundred francs with thirty thousand, the fortune of France, of myself and of most people would be made. No, keep your money!
Minard
What! You refuse it?
Mercadet (aside) If with this I could keep them quiet for a month, if by some bold stoke I could revive the depression in my property, it might be all right. But the money of these poor children, it cuts me to the heart to think of it, for when they are in tears people calculate amiss; it is not well to risk the money of any but fellow-brokers — no — no (Aloud) Adolphe, you may marry my daughter.
Minard
Oh! Sir — Julie — my own Julie —
Mercadet That is, of course, as soon as she has three hundred thousand francs as dowry.
Mme. Mercadet
My dear!
Julie
Papa!
Minard
Ah, sir! How long are you going to put me off?
Mercadet
Put you off? She will have it in a month! Perhaps sooner —
All
How is that?
Mercadet Yes, by the use of my brains — and a little money. (Minard holds out his pocket-book.) But lock up those bills! And come, take away my wife and daughter. I want to be alone.
Mme. Mercadet (aside)
Is he going to hatch some plot against his creditors? I must find out.
Come, Julie.
Julie
Papa, how good you are!
Mercadet
Nonsense!
Julie
I love you so much.
Mercadet
Nonsense!
Julie
Adolphe, I do not thank you, I shall have all my life for that.
Minard
Dearest Julie!
Mercadet (leading them out) Come, now, you had better breathe out your idyls in some more retired spot.
(They go out.)
SCENE THIRD
Mercadet, then De la Brive.
Mercadet I have resisted — it was a good impulse! But I was wrong to obey it. If I finally yield to the temptation, I can make their little capital worth very much more. I shall manage this fortune for them. My poor daughter has indeed a good lover. What hearts of gold are theirs! Dear children! (Goes towards the door at the right.) I must make their fortune. De la Brive is here awaiting me. (Looking through the open door) I believe he is asleep. I gave him a little too much wine, so as to handle him more easily. (Shouting) Michonnin! The constable! The constable!
De la Brive (coming out, rubbing his eyes)
Hello! What are you saying?
Mercadet Don’t be frightened, I only wanted to wake you up. (Takes his seat at the table.)
De la Brive (sitting at the other side of the table) Sir, an orgie acts on the mind like a storm on the country. It brings on refreshment,
it clothes with verdure! And ideas spring forth and bloom! /In vino varietas/!
Mercadet
Yesterday, our conversation on business matters was interrupted.
De la Brive Father-in-law, I recall it distinctly — we recognized the fact that our houses could not keep their engagements. We were on the point of bankruptcy, and you are unfortunate enough to be my creditor, while I am fortunate enough to be your debtor by the amount of forty-seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs and some centimes.
Mercadet
Your head is level enough.
De la Brive But my pocket and my conscience are a little out. Yet who can reproach me? By squandering my fortune I have brought profit to every trade in Paris, and even to those who do not know me. We, the useless ones! We, the idlers! Upon my soul! It is we who keep up the circulation of money —
Mercadet By means of the money in circulation. Ah! you have all your wits about you!
De la Brive
But I have nothing else.
Mercadet Our wits are our mint. Is it not so? But, considering your present situation, I shall be brief.
De la Brive
That is why I take a seat.
Mercadet Listen to me. I see that you are going down the steep way which leads to that daring cleverness for which fools blame successful operators. You have tasted the piquant intoxicating fruits of Parisian pleasure. You have made luxury the inseparable companion of your life. Paris begins at the Place de l’Etoile, and ends at the Jockey Club. That is your Paris, which is the world of women who are talked about too much, or not at all.
De la Brive
That is true.
Mercadet You breathe the cynical atmosphere of wits and journalists, the atmosphere of the theatre and of the ministry. It is a vast sea in which thousands are casting their nets! You must either continue this existence, or blow your brains out!
De la Brive
No! For it is impossible to think that it can continue without me.
Mercadet Do you feel that you have the genius to maintain yourself in style at the height to which you aspire? To dominate men of mind by the power of capital and superiority of intellect? Do you think that you will always have skill enough to keep afloat between the two capes, which have seen the life of elegance so often founder between the cheap restaurant and the debtors’ prison?
De la Brive Why! You are breaking into my conscience like a burglar — you echo my very thought! What do you want with me?
Mercadet
I wish to rescue you, by launching you into the world of business.
De la Brive
By what entrance?
Mercadet
Let me choose the door.
De la Brive
The devil!
Mercadet
Show yourself a man who will compromise himself for me —
De la Brive
But men of straw may be burnt.
Mercadet
You must be incombustible.
De la Brive
What are the terms of our copartnership?
Mercadet You try to serve me in the desperate circumstances in which I am at present, and I will make you a present of your forty-seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs, to say nothing of the centimes. Between ourselves, I may say that only address is needed.
De la Brive
In the use of the pistol or the sword?
Mercadet
No one is to be killed; on the contrary —
De la Brive
That will suit me.
Mercadet
A man is to be brought to life again.
De la Brive That doesn’t suit me at all, my dear fellow. The legacy, the chest of Harpagon, the little mule of Scapin and, indeed, all the farces which have made us laugh on the ancient stage are not well received nowadays in real life. The police have a way of getting mixed up with them, and since the abolition of privileges, no one can administer a drubbing with impunity.
Mercadet Well, what do you think of five years in debtors’ prison? Eh? What a fate!
De la Brive As a matter of fact, my decision must depend upon what you want me to do to any one, for my honor so far is intact and is worth —
Mercadet You must invest it well, for we shall have dire need of all that it is worth. I want you to assist me in sitting at the table which the Exchange always keeps spread, and we will gorge ourselves with the good things there offered us, for you must admit that while those who seek for millions have great difficulty in finding them, they are never found by those who do not seek.
De la Brive I think I can co-operate with you in this matter. You will return to me my forty-seven thousand francs —
Mercadet
Yes, sir.
De la Brive
I am not required to be anything but be — very clever?
Mercadet Nimble, but this nimbleness will be exercised, as the English say, on the right side of the law.
De la Brive
What is it you propose?
Mercadet (giving him a paper) Here are your written instructions. You are to represent something like an uncle from America — in fact, my partner, who has just come back from the West Indies.
De la Brive
I understand.
Mercadet Go to the Champs-Elysees, secure a post-chaise that has been much battered, have horses harnessed to it, and make your arrival here wrapped in a great pelisse, your head enveloped in a huge cap, while you shiver like a man who finds our summer icy cold. I will receive you; I will conduct you in; you will speak to my creditors; not one of them knows Godeau; you will make them give me more time.
De la Brive
How much time?
Mercadet I need only two days — two days, in order that Pierquin may complete certain purchases which we have ordered. Two days in order that the stock which I know how to inflate may have time to rise. You will be my backer, my security. And as no one will recognize you —
De la Brive I shall cease to be this personage as soon as I have paid you forty- seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs and some centimes.
Mercadet
That is so. But I hear some one — my wife —
Mme. Mercadet (enters) My dear, there are some letters for you, and the bearer requires an answer.
(Mme. Mercadet withdraws to the fireplace.)
Mercadet
I suppose I must go. Good-day, my dear De la Brive. (In a low voice)
Not a word to my wife; she would not understand the operation, and
would misconstrue it. (Aloud) Go quickly, and forget nothing.
De la Brive
You need have no fear.
(Mercadet goes out by the left; De la Brive starts to go out by the centre, but Mme. Mercadet intercepts him.)
SCENE FOURTH
Mme. Mercadet and De la Brive.
De la Brive
Madame?
Mme. Mercadet
Forgive me, sir!
De la Brive
Kindly excuse me, madame, I must be going —
Mme. Mercadet
You must not go.
De la Brive
But you are not aware —
Mme. Mercadet
I know all.
De la Brive
How is that?
Mme. Mercadet You and my husband are bent upon resorting to some very ancient expedients proper to the comic drama, and I have employed one which is more ancient still. And as I told you, I know all —
De la Brive (aside)
She must have been listening.
Mme. Mercadet Sir, the part which you have been induced to undertake is blameworthy and shameful, and you must give it up —
De la Brive
But after all, madame —
Mme. Mercadet Oh! I know to whom I am speaking, sir; it was only a few hours ago that I saw you for the first time, and yet — I think I know you.
De la Brive
Really? I am sure
I do not know what opinion you have of me.
Mme. Mercadet One day has given me time to form a correct judgment of you — and at the very time that my husband was trying to discover some foible in you he might make use of, or what evil passions he might rouse in you, I looked in your heart and discerned that it still contained good feelings which eventually may prove your salvation.
De la Brive
Prove my salvation? Excuse me, madame.
Mme. Mercadet Yes, sir, prove your salvation and that of my husband; for both of you are on the way to ruin. For you must understand that debts are no disgrace to any one who admits them and toils for their payment. You have your whole life before you, and you have too much good sense to wish that it should be blighted through engaging in a business which justice is sure to punish.
De la Brive Justice! Ah! You are right, madame, and I certainly would not lend myself to this dangerous comedy, unless your husband had some notes of hand of mine —
Mme. Mercadet
Which he will surrender to you, sir, I’ll promise you that.
De la Brive
But, madame, I cannot pay them —
Mme. Mercadet We will be satisfied with your word, and you will discharge your obligation as soon as you have honestly made your fortune.
De la Brive
Honestly! That will be perhaps a long time to wait.
Mme. Mercadet
We will be patient. And now, sir, go and inform my husband that he
must give up this attempt because he will not have your co-operation.
(She goes towards the door on the left.)
De la Brive I should be rather afraid to face him — I should prefer to write to him.
Mme. Mercadet (pointing out to him the door by which he entered) You will find the necessary writing materials in that room. Remain there until I come for your letter. I will hand it to him myself.
De la Brive I will do so, madame. After all I am not so worthless as I thought I was. It is you who have taught me this; you have a right to the whole credit of it. (He respectfully kisses her hand.) Thank you, madame, thank you! (He goes out.)
Mme. Mercadet
I have succeeded — if only I could now persuade Mercadet.
Justin (entering from the center)
Madame — madame — here they are — all of them.
Mme. Mercadet
Who?
Justin
The creditors.
Mme. Mercadet
Already?
Justin
There are a great many of them, madame.
Mme. Mercadet
Let them come in here. I will go and inform my husband.
Works of Honore De Balzac Page 1435