Bellarion the Fortunate

by Rafael Sabatini

'A year's employment for myself and my condotta at a monthly stipend of fifteen thousand gold florins.'

'God of Heaven!' Vignate ejaculated. 'Is that all?' And he laughed scornfully.

'It is for your lordship to refuse.'

'It is for you to be reasonable. Fifteen thou ... Besides, I don't want your condotta for a year.'

'But I prefer the security of a year's employment. It is security for you, too, of a sort. You'll be well served.'

'Ten thousand florins for your assistance in this job,' said Vignate firmly.

'I'll be wishing you good morning,' said Messer Beppo as firmly. 'I know my value.'

'You take advantage of my urgent needs,' Vignate complained.

'And you forget what you already owe me for having risked my neck in coming here.'

After that they haggled for a full half-hour, and if guarantees of Messer Beppo's good faith had been lacking, they had it in the tenacity with which he clung to his demands.