Memoirs of Casanova — Volume 12: Return to Paris by Giacomo Casanova
page 43 of 161 (26%)
page 43 of 161 (26%)
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My answer was that I would think it over when I heard how much I was to
have for what I had done already. "But everybody says that you have made two hundred thousand florins by it." "That would not be so bad; half a million of francs would be a fair foundation on which to build a fortune; but I can assure your excellence that there is not a word of truth in the report. I defy anyone to prove it; and till some substantial proof is offered, I think I can lay claim to brokerage." "True, true. Go to the comptroller-general and state your views to him." M. de Boulogne stopped the occupation on which he was engaged to give me a most friendly greeting, but when I said that he owed me a hundred thousand florins he smiled sardonically. "I happen to know," he said, "that you have bills of exchange to the amount of a hundred thousand crowns payable to yourself." "Certainly, but that money has no connection with my mission, as I can prove to you by referring you to M. d'Afri. I have in my head an infallible project for increasing the revenue by twenty millions, in a manner which will cause no irritation." "You don't say so! Communicate your plan, and I promise to get you a pension of a hundred thousand francs, and letters of nobility as well, if you like to become a Frenchman." |
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