There is not a soul, in Mantua or elsewhere, who would lend you as much as ten ducats, not to speak of two thousand, especially to-day.

For to-morrow you will be on the march, and who can tell whether you will ever return ?" "I give you my word of honor, Signor Marchese, that you shall have the money at eight o'clock to-morrow morning." "Your word of honor," said the Marchese, "is not worth a single ducat to me, let alone two thousand." The others held their breath.

Lorenzi, apparently unmoved, merely answered: "You will give me satisfaction, Signor Marchese." "With pleasure, Signor Lieutenant," rejoined the Marchese, "as soon as you have paid your debt." Olivo, who was profoundly distressed, here intervened, stammering slightly: "I stand surety for the amount, Signor Marchese.

Unfortunately I have not sufficient ready money on the spot; but there is the house, the estate....." He closed the sentence with an awkward wave of the hand.
"I refuse to accept your surety, for your own sake," said the Marchese.
"You would lose your money." Casanova saw that all eyes were turned towards the gold that lay on the table before him.

"What if I were to stand surety for Lorenzi," he thought.