SCENE V.

SIMO, CHREMES, DAVUS.

_Davus._ I was coming to you, Sir.

_Simo._ What is it?

_Davus._ Why is not the bride brought? it grows late[154ᴬ].

_Simo._ (_to Chremes._) Do you hear him? I confess to you, Davus, that, till lately, I have been fearful, that you would prove perfidious[154ᴮ], like the common herd of slaves, and deceive me in this intrigue of Pamphilus.

_Davus._ I do such a thing, Sir!

_Simo._ I did suspect it, and, on that very account, I concealed from you what I will now disclose.

_Davus._ What is that, Sir?

_Simo._ You shall hear: for, at last, I begin to think that I may trust you.

_Davus._ Ah, Sir, you now appreciate my character as you ought; you now see what kind of man I am.

_Simo._ This marriage was all counterfeited.

_Davus._ Counterfeited!

_Simo._ Yes, for the purpose of proving you and my son, and to try how you would receive the proposal.

_Davus._ How! is it possible?

_Simo._ Fact, I assure you.

_Davus._ I never could have fathomed this design; what a profound contrivance! deep, Sir, very deep. (_bantering._)

_Simo._ But hear me out. After I sent you in, I most opportunely met my friend Chremes.

_Davus._ (_aside._) How! what does he say? All is lost, I fear.

_Simo._ I related to him what you had just before related to me.

_Davus._ (_aside._) What do I hear!

_Simo._ I entreated him to give his daughter to Pamphilus, and, with great difficulty, prevailed upon him to consent.

_Davus._ (_aside._) How unfortunate!

_Simo._ Ha! what’s that you say[155]?

_Davus._ How very fortunate, I say.

_Simo._ Chremes now consents to an immediate union.

_Chremes._ Well, I will now return home, and order every thing to be prepared: when all is ready, I shall let you know.

[_Exit._