Casanova overtook Lorenzi in the chestnut avenue. Speaking lightly, he said: “May I have the pleasure of accompanying you on your walk, Lieutenant Lorenzi?” Lorenzi, without looking at him, answered in an arrogant tone which seemed hardly in keeping with his situation: “As you please, Chevalier; but I am afraid you will not find me an amusing companion.” “Perhaps, Lieutenant, you will on the other hand find me an entertaining companion. If you have no objection, let us take the path through the vineyard, where our conversation will be undisturbed.” They turned aside from the high-road into the narrow footway running beside the garden wall, along which Casanova had walked with Olivo on the previous day. “You are right in supposing,” began Casanova, “that I have it in mind to offer you the sum of money which you owe to the Marchese. Not as a loan. That, if you will excuse my saying so, seems to me rather too risky a venture. I could let you have it as a slight return for a service which I think you may be able to do me.” “Go on,” said Lorenzi coldly. “Before I say any more,” answered Casanova, in a similar tone, “I must make a condition upon your acceptance of which the continuance of this conversation depends.” “Name your condition.” “Give me your word of honor that you will listen to me without interruption, even though what I have to say may arouse your displeasure or your wrath. When you have heard me to the end, it will rest entirely with yourself whether you accept a proposal which, I am well aware, is of an extremely unusual nature. But I want you to answer it with a simple Yes or No. Whatever the issue, no one is to hear a word concerning what passes at this interview between two men of honor, who are perhaps no better than they should be.” “I am ready to listen to your proposal.” “You accept my condition?” “I will not interrupt you.” “And you will answer nothing beyond Yes or No?” “Nothing beyond Yes or No.”