SCENE VII.

DAVUS, SIMO.

_Davus._ [_aside._] The old man thinks I have some scheme on foot, and stay here now to play it off upon him.

_Simo._ Well, what says Davus?

_Davus._ Nothing, Sir, just at present.

_Simo._ Nothing? indeed!

_Davus._ Nothing at all.

_Simo._ But yet I expected something.

_Davus._ [_aside._] He [132]has missed his aim! I see this nettles him to the quick.

_Simo._ Is it possible that for once you can speak truth?

_Davus._ Nothing can be easier.

_Simo._ Tell me then, does not this marriage very much distress my son, on account of his partiality for this Andrian.

_Davus._ By Hercules, not at all: or if indeed he feels a slight uneasiness for a day or two, you know it will not last longer than that, for he has reflected on the subject, and sees it in its true light, I assure you, Sir.

_Simo._ I commend him for it.

_Davus._ While circumstances allowed him, and while [133]his youth in some measure excused him, I confess he did intrigue a little; but then he took care to conceal it from the world: he was cautious, [134]as a gentleman should be, not to disgrace himself by giving room for any scandalous reports; but now as he must marry, he inclines his thoughts to marriage.

_Simo._ Yet, he appeared to me, to be rather melancholy[135].

_Davus._ Not at all on that account, but he is a little vexed with you.

_Simo._ About what?

_Davus._ Oh! a mere trifle.

_Simo._ But what is it?

_Davus._ Nothing worth speaking of.

_Simo._ But tell me what it is?

_Davus._ He says you are too sparing of your purse.

_Simo._ Who? I?

_Davus._ You. My father, said he, has scarcely spent ten drachms for the wedding supper[136]: does this look like the marriage of his son? I cannot invite my companions even on such an occasion as this. Indeed, Sir[137], I think you are too frugal: it is not well timed.

_Simo._ [_angrily._] Hold your tongue.

_Davus._ [_aside._] I’ve [138]ruffled him now!

_Simo._ I will take care that every thing is as it should be. Away! [_Exit Davus._] What can all this be about? what can this crafty knave mean? if there is any mischief on foot, this fellow is sure to be the contriver of it.

END OF THE SECOND ACT.