dressmakers?

Therese
Sir, as soon as I gave them a promise of payment, every one greeted me
with smiles.

Mercadet
Very good. And shall we have a fine dinner, Virginie?

Virginie
You will compliment it, sir, when you eat it.

Mercadet
And the tradespeople?

Virginie
They will wait your time.

Mercadet
I shall settle with you all to-morrow. You can go now. (They go out.)
A man who has his servants with him is like a minister who has the
press on his side!

Mme. Mercadet
And what of Pierquin?

Mercadet (showing the papers)
All that I could extort from him is as follows.--He will give me time,
and this negotiable paper in exchange for stock.--Also notes for
forty-seven thousand francs, to be collected from a man named