Mercadet
Sir, are you in love with my daughter?

Minard
Yes, sir.

Mercadet
That is, at least, what she believes, and you seem to have had the
talent to persuade her that it is so.

Minard
Your manner of expressing yourself implies a doubt on your part, which
in any one else would have been offensive to me. Why should I not love
mademoiselle? Abandoned by my parents, it was from your daughter, sir,
that I have learned for the first time the happiness of affection.
Mlle. Julie is at the same time a sister and a friend to me. She is my
whole family. She alone has smiled upon me and has encouraged me; and
my love for her is beyond what language can express!

Julie
Must I remain here, father?

Mercadet (to his daughter)
Swallow it all! (To Minard) Sir, with regard to the love of young
people I have those positive ideas which are considered peculiar to
old men. My distrust of such love is all the more permissible because
I am not the father blinded by paternal affection. I see Julie exactly
as she is; without being absolutely plain, she has none of that beauty
that makes people cry out, "See!" She is quite mediocre.