I am used to rough, plain speaking, even from my heydukes.

I prefer to have it so.

You, my good nephew, have come hither from a great distance to inherit my estate, and your creditors no doubt will be marching after you in regiments, and now you find me alive.

A little aggravating I take it, eh ?" "Au contraire, as I find my dear uncle alive, it will be all the easier for him to show himself amiable towards me." "How?
Explain yourself!" "Well, I do not ask you for a yearly allowance, ce serait bien fatigant for us both.

My proposal is that you pay my debts in a lump sum, and there shall be peace between us." "Hum! Most magnanimous! And if I do _not_ pay them, I suppose war will be declared ?" "Come, come, my dear uncle! You are pleased to be facetious! Not pay, do you say! Why, 'tis only a matter of one or two hundred thousand livres or so, a mere bagatelle to you." "Well, my dear Mr.Nephew, I much regret that you think so lightly of the estate which was won by the valour of your ancestors, but I am quite unable to help you.