Do not be unjust; Verdelin yielded to your request.

Mercadet
He yielded to the cry of Julie, not to my request. Ah! my dear, he has
extorted from me more than a thousand crowns' worth of humiliation!

Justin (coming in with Therese and Virginie)
The tradespeople.

Virginie
The milliner and the dressmaker--

Therese
And the dry-goods merchants.

Mercadet
That is all right! I have succeeded in my scheme! My daughter shall be
Comtesse de la Brive! (To the servants) Show them in! I am waiting,
and the money is ready. (He goes proudly towards his study, while the
servants look at him with surprise.)



Curtain to the First Act.




ACT II