Who

[vonjon]

who claimed to have been attacked by two, eighteen, thirty-two and twelve swans?
who agreed to marry colette du kane?
who asked if the capitalists would be kind enough to spare some money for him?

[Fibonacci]

Reminder of the site's guidelines to post the name of the quiz and the closing date when posting quiz questions.

[TheWinner]

2. I haven't read it, but the answer could be Ethan Frome Fortune.
(Icerigger, by Alan Dean Foster)
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/feeling-the-chill

[Fibonacci]

1) possibly linked to three men in a boat

[blaris]

3. Might be referring to Buddy Can you Spare a Dime, a song by Yip Harburg

[vonjon]

thanks for all the answers