SCENE SEVENTH


Mme. Mercadet, Mercadet, then Julie.


Mme. Mercadet
Is there any truth in what you just now said? I could not quite follow
you.

Mercadet
It is to the interest of my friend Verdelin to cause a panic in Basse-
Indre stock; this stock has been for a long time very risky and has
suddenly become of first-class value, through the discovery of certain
beds of mineral, which are known only to those on the inside.--Ah! If
I could but invest a thousand crowns in it my fortune would be made.
But, of course, our main object at present is the marriage of Julie.

Mme. Mercadet
You are well acquainted with M. de la Brive, are you not?

Mercadet
I have dined with him. He has a charming apartment, fine plate, a
silver dessert service, bearing his arms, so that it could not have
been borrowed. Our daughter is going to make a fine match, and he--
when either one of a married couple is happy, it is all right.