BERTRAND. For the Lord's sake, Macaire! -
MACAIRE. Ay, here it is. (READING LETTER). 'Preserve this letter secretly; its terms are known only to you and me: hence when the time comes, I shall repeat them, and my son will recognise his father.' Signed: 'Your Unknown Benefactor.' (HE TURNS IT OVER TWICE AND REPLACES IT. THEN, FINGERING THE GOLD) Gold! The yellow enchantress, happiness ready-made and laughing in my face! Gold: what is gold? The world; the term of ills; the empery of all; the multitudinous babble of the change, the sailing from all ports of freighted argosies; music, wine, a palace; the doors of the bright theatre, the key of consciences, and love - love's whistle! All this below my itching fingers; and to set this by, turn a deaf ear upon the siren present, and condescend on
