Violette
Ah! my wife and my girls will bless you. (Aside, while Mercadet leaves
the room for a moment.) The others who abuse him get nothing out of
him, but by appealing to his pity, little by little I get back my
money. (Chuckles and slaps his pocket.)

Mercadet (on the point of re-entering sees this action)
The beggarly old miser! Sixty francs on account paid ten times makes
six hundred francs. Come now, I have sown enough, it is time to reap
the harvest. (Aloud) Take this.

Violette
Sixty francs in gold! It is a long time since I have seen such a sum.
Good-bye, we sha'n't forget to pray for the speedy marriage of Mlle.
Mercadet.

Mercadet
Good-bye, dear old Violette. (Holding him by the hand.) Poor old man,
when I look at you, I think myself rich--your misfortunes touch me
deeply. And yesterday I thought I would soon be on the point of paying
back to you not only the interest but the principal of what I owe you.

Violette (turning back)
Paying me back! In full!

Mercadet
It was a close shave.

Violette
What was?