ledge, to Bacchis for the money.

CHREM. I understand.

SYRUS. This girl came here with Bacchis,
And now is with your wife.

CHREM. What then?

SYRUS. She begs
Of Clinia to advance the cash; for which
She'll give the girl as an equivalent.
She wants the thousand pieces.

CHREM. Does she so?

SYRUS. No doubt on't.

CHREM. So I thought.--And what do you
Intend to do?

SYRUS. Who? I, Sir? I'll away
To Menedemus presently; and tell him
This maiden is a rich and noble captive,
Stolen from Caria; and to ransom her
Will greatly profit him.

CHREM. 'Twill never do.

SYRUS. How so?

CHREM. I answer now for Menedemus.
_I will not purchase her._ What say you now?

SYRUS. Give a more favorable answer!

CHREM. No,
There's no occasion.

SYRUS. No occasion?

CHREM. No.

SYRUS. I can not comprehend you.

CHREM. I'll explain.
--But hold! what now? whence comes it that our door
Opens so hastily?

[Changes:

_CHREMES, SYRUS._
_character names supplied from 1768 edition_]

SCENE VII.

_Enter at a distance SOSTRATA with a ring, and the NURSE._

SOSTRA. Or I'm deceiv'd,
Or this is certainly the very ring;
The ring with which my daughter was expos'd.

CHREM. (_to SYRUS, behind_). What can those words mean, Syrus?

SOSTRA. Tell me, Nurse!
Does it appear to you to be the same?

NURSE. Aye, marry: and the very moment that
You show'd it me, I said it was the same.

SOSTRA. But have you thoroughly examin'd, Nurse?

NURSE. Aye, thoroughly.

SOSTRA. In then, and let me know
If she has yet done bathing; and meanwhile
I'll wait my husband here. (_Exit NURSE._

SYRUS. She wants you, Sir! inquire
What she would have. She's grave, I know not why.
'Tis not for nothing; and I fear the cause.

CHREM. The cause? pshaw! nothing. She'll take mighty pains
To be deliver'd of some mighty trifle.

SOSTRA. (_seeing them_). Oh husband!

CHREM. Oh wife!

SOSTRA. I was looking for you,

CHREM. Your pleasure?

SOSTRA. First, I must entreat you then,
Believe, I would not dare do any thing
Against your order.

CHREM. What! must I believe
A thing past all belief?--I do believe it.

SYRUS. This exculpation bodes some fault, I'm sure. (_Aside._)

SOSTRA. Do you remember, I was pregnant once,
When you assur'd me with much earnestness,
That if I were deliver'd of a girl,
You would not have the child brought up?

CHREM. I know
What you have done. You have brought up the child.

SYRUS. Madam, i