Oh!

Mercadet (checking his wife by a sign)
No more of this insolence! Otherwise, my dear sir, I shall be forced
to demand a settlement of our accounts--and, my dear M. Pierquin, you
will lose a good deal of the price at which you sold your money to me.
And at the rate of interest you charge, I shall cost you more than the
value of a farm in Bauce.

Pierquin
Sir--

Mercadet (haughtily)
Sir, I shall soon be so rich that I will not endure to be twitted by
any one--not even by a creditor.

Pierquin
But--

Mercadet
Not a word--or I will pay you! Come into my private room and we will
settle the business about which I asked you to come.

Pierquin
I am at your service, sir. (Aside) What a devil of a man!

(Pierquin and Mercadet bow to the ladies and enter Mercadet's room.)

Mercadet (following Pierquin; aside to his wife)
The wild beast is tamed. I'll get this one, too.