coterie, circle of intimate friends

1. 17. de ne jamais escompter son 2)apier, never to discount his bills of exchange, i. e. never to sell them to a banker, who pays the amount minus the discount, but to keep them until payment is due.

1. 18. de prendre . . . des valeurs siires, to buy first-class bills, i. e. bills with which there is no risk of non-payment.