Mercadet Part 21

De la Brive But, madame, I cannot pay them--

Mme. Mercadet We will be satisfied with your word, and you will discharge your obligation as soon as you have honestly made your fortune.

De la Brive Honestly! That will be perhaps a long time to wait.

Mme. Mercadet We will be patient. And now, sir, go and inform my husband that he must give up this attempt because he will not have your co-operation.

(She goes towards the door on the left.)

De la Brive I should be rather afraid to face him-- I should prefer to write to him.

Mme. Mercadet (pointing out to him the door by which he entered) You will find the necessary writing materials in that room. Remain there until I come for your letter. I will hand it to him myself.

De la Brive I will do so, madame. After all I am not so worthless as I thought I was. It is you who have taught me this; you have a right to the whole credit of it. (He respectfully kisses her hand.) Thank you, madame, thank you! (He goes out.)

Mme. Mercadet I have succeeded--if only I could now persuade Mercadet.

Justin (entering from the center) Madame--madame--here they are--all of them.

Mme. Mercadet Who?

Justin The creditors.

Mme. Mercadet Already?

Justin There are a great many of them, madame.

Mme. Mercadet Let them come in here. I will go and inform my husband.

(Mme. Mercadet goes out by one door. Justin opens the other.)

SCENE FIFTH

Pierquin, Goulard, Violette and several other creditors.

Goulard Gentlemen, we have quite made up our minds, have we not?

All We have, we have--

Pierquin No more deluding promises.

Goulard No more prayers and expostulations.

Violette No more pretended payments on account, thrown out as a bait to get deeper into our pockets.

SCENE SIXTH

The same persons and Mercadet.

Mercadet And do you mean to tell me that you gentlemen are come to force me into bankruptcy?

Goulard We shall do so, unless you find means to pay us in full this very day.

Mercadet To-day!

Pierquin This very day.

Mercadet (standing before the fireplace) Do you think that I possess the plates for striking off Bank of France notes?

Violette You mean that you have no offer to make?

Mercadet Absolutely none! And you are going to lock me up? I warn him who is going to pay for the cab that he won't be reimbursed from any a.s.sets of mine.

Goulard I shall add that along with all that you owe me to the debit of your account--

Mercadet Thank you. You've all made up your mind, I suppose?

The Creditors We have.

Mercadet I am touched by your unanimity! (pulling out his watch) Two o'clock.

(Aside) De la Brive has had quite time enough--he ought to be on his way here. (Aloud) Gentlemen, you compel me to admit that you are men of inspiration and have chosen your time well!

Pierquin What does he mean?

Mercadet For months, for years, you have allowed yourselves to be humbugged by fine promises, and deceived--yes, deceived by preposterous stories; and to-day is the day you choose for showing yourselves inexorable!

Upon my word and honor, it is positively amusing! By all means let us start for Clichy.

Goulard But, sir--

Pierquin He is laughing.

Violette (rising from his chair) There is something in the wind. Gentlemen, there is something in the wind!

Pierquin Please explain to us--

Goulard We desire to know--

Violette (rising to his feet) M. Mercadet, if there is anything--tell us about it.

Mercadet (coming to the table) Nothing! I shall say nothing, not I--I wish to be put behind the bars!--I would like to see the figure you all will cut to-morrow or this evening, when you find he has returned.

Goulard (rising to his feet) He has returned?