Mercadet Part 20

De la Brive What are the terms of our copartners.h.i.+p?

Mercadet You try to serve me in the desperate circ.u.mstances in which I am at present, and I will make you a present of your forty-seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs, to say nothing of the centimes.

Between ourselves, I may say that only address is needed.

De la Brive In the use of the pistol or the sword?

Mercadet No one is to be killed; on the contrary--

De la Brive That will suit me.

Mercadet A man is to be brought to life again.

De la Brive That doesn't suit me at all, my dear fellow. The legacy, the chest of Harpagon, the little mule of Scapin and, indeed, all the farces which have made us laugh on the ancient stage are not well received nowadays in real life. The police have a way of getting mixed up with them, and since the abolition of privileges, no one can administer a drubbing with impunity.

Mercadet Well, what do you think of five years in debtors' prison? Eh? What a fate!

De la Brive As a matter of fact, my decision must depend upon what you want me to do to any one, for my honor so far is intact and is worth--

Mercadet You must invest it well, for we shall have dire need of all that it is worth. I want you to a.s.sist me in sitting at the table which the Exchange always keeps spread, and we will gorge ourselves with the good things there offered us, for you must admit that while those who seek for millions have great difficulty in finding them, they are never found by those who do not seek.

De la Brive I think I can co-operate with you in this matter. You will return to me my forty-seven thousand francs--

Mercadet Yes, sir.

De la Brive I am not required to be anything but be--very clever?

Mercadet Nimble, but this nimbleness will be exercised, as the English say, on the right side of the law.

De la Brive What is it you propose?

Mercadet (giving him a paper) Here are your written instructions. You are to represent something like an uncle from America--in fact, my partner, who has just come back from the West Indies.

De la Brive I understand.

Mercadet Go to the Champs-Elysees, secure a post-chaise that has been much battered, have horses harnessed to it, and make your arrival here wrapped in a great pelisse, your head enveloped in a huge cap, while you s.h.i.+ver like a man who finds our summer icy cold. I will receive you; I will conduct you in; you will speak to my creditors; not one of them knows G.o.deau; you will make them give me more time.

De la Brive How much time?

Mercadet I need only two days--two days, in order that Pierquin may complete certain purchases which we have ordered. Two days in order that the stock which I know how to inflate may have time to rise. You will be my backer, my security. And as no one will recognize you--

De la Brive I shall cease to be this personage as soon as I have paid you forty- seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-three francs and some centimes.

Mercadet That is so. But I hear some one--my wife--

Mme. Mercadet (enters) My dear, there are some letters for you, and the bearer requires an answer.

(Mme. Mercadet withdraws to the fireplace.)

Mercadet I suppose I must go. Good-day, my dear De la Brive. (In a low voice) Not a word to my wife; she would not understand the operation, and would misconstrue it. (Aloud) Go quickly, and forget nothing.

De la Brive You need have no fear.

(Mercadet goes out by the left; De la Brive starts to go out by the centre, but Mme. Mercadet intercepts him.)

SCENE FOURTH

Mme. Mercadet and De la Brive.

De la Brive Madame?

Mme. Mercadet Forgive me, sir!

De la Brive Kindly excuse me, madame, I must be going--

Mme. Mercadet You must not go.

De la Brive But you are not aware--

Mme. Mercadet I know all.

De la Brive How is that?

Mme. Mercadet You and my husband are bent upon resorting to some very ancient expedients proper to the comic drama, and I have employed one which is more ancient still. And as I told you, I know all--

De la Brive (aside) She must have been listening.

Mme. Mercadet Sir, the part which you have been induced to undertake is blameworthy and shameful, and you must give it up--

De la Brive But after all, madame--

Mme. Mercadet Oh! I know to whom I am speaking, sir; it was only a few hours ago that I saw you for the first time, and yet--I think I know you.

De la Brive Really? I am sure I do not know what opinion you have of me.

Mme. Mercadet One day has given me time to form a correct judgment of you--and at the very time that my husband was trying to discover some foible in you he might make use of, or what evil pa.s.sions he might rouse in you, I looked in your heart and discerned that it still contained good feelings which eventually may prove your salvation.

De la Brive Prove my salvation? Excuse me, madame.

Mme. Mercadet Yes, sir, prove your salvation and that of my husband; for both of you are on the way to ruin. For you must understand that debts are no disgrace to any one who admits them and toils for their payment. You have your whole life before you, and you have too much good sense to wish that it should be blighted through engaging in a business which justice is sure to punish.

De la Brive Justice! Ah! You are right, madame, and I certainly would not lend myself to this dangerous comedy, unless your husband had some notes of hand of mine--

Mme. Mercadet Which he will surrender to you, sir, I'll promise you that.