Possible Clues:

• Rather excessive pre-divorce settlement
• Too steep
• Hesitation shown by papa in awful divorce requiring much outlay
• European taken in by cop -- driver mistreated with excessive charge
• Costly
• Needing reduction
• Finished and paid, having eaten cereal that's not worth the cost
• Caught Verdi opera: shortened, badly produced, and too expensive
• Eric proved to be very dear