The World of Courtesans c8.201

c8.201

She also refused to go to feasts arranged by friends on the plea that she had no money to buy presents for them. She pretended that she had herself often received gifts from her friends. She demanded more money from her lover to order artistic objects, to oblige doctors and ministers, to assist friends who were ill or unfortunate, and to renovate the house. She wanted money for festivals and auspicious occasions. Then, in the presence of her lover she pretended to dispose of her ornaments and utensils on the plea that she required better ornaments and utensils than those possessed by her friends. In order to fleece him further, she praised his past gifts and loans to her and hinted to him that several other courtesans had received very large amounts from him. In order to get money from him she cited to the other courtesans, in the presence of her lover, examples of generosity and kindness. To kindle his liberality, she even praised the liberal outlook of his rivals.