need of your discretion--for we can depend upon you, can we not?

All
You need not mention it, madame.

Virginie
We were just saying, what excellent employers we had.

Therese
And that we would go through fire and water for you!

Justin
We were saying--

(Mercadet appears unnoticed.)

Mme. Mercadet
Thank you all, you are good creatures. (Mercadet shrugs his
shoulders.) Your master needs only time, he has so many schemes in his
head!--a rich suitor has offered himself for Mlle. Julie, and if--



SCENE THIRD


The same persons and Mercadet.


Mercadet (interrupting his wife)