Still there were a multitude of petty expenses, payments to subaltern employees, payments for medical consultations and certificates, copies of documents, and the memoirs and addresses of counsel.

And although the votes of the cardinals were certainly not bought direct, some of them ended by costing considerable sums, for it often became necessary to win over dependants, to induce quite a little world to bring influence to bear upon their Eminences; without mentioning that large pecuniary gifts, when made with tact, have a decisive effect in clearing away the greatest difficulties in that sphere of the Vatican.

And, briefly, Monsignor Palma's nephew by marriage had cost the Boccaneras a large sum.
"But it doesn't matter, does it, Dario _mio_ ?" continued Benedetta.
"Since you are now cured, they must make haste to give us permission to marry.

That's all we ask of them.

And if they want more, well, I'll give them my pearls, which will be all I shall have left me." He also laughed, for money had never held any place in his life.