Mercadet (aside)
Good, good! (Aloud) Just detain him a minute. (Mme. Mercadet goes
out.) Well, good-bye, dear old Violette--

Violette (pulling out a greasy pocketbook)
Wait a moment--here, I have the money with me--and will give it you
beforehand.

Mercadet
You! Six thousand francs!

Violette
A friend asked me to invest it for him, and--

Mercadet
And you couldn't find a better opening. We'll sign the contract
presently! (He takes the bills.) This closes the deal--and so much the
worse for Verdelin--he has missed a gold mine!

Violette
Well, I'll see you later.

Mercadet
Yes--see you later! You can get out through my study.

(Mercadet shows Violette the way out. Mme. Mercadet enters.)

Mme. Mercadet
Mercadet!