eferable to enjoy a two-fold hope. I'll try for it from him from
whom I first intended: if he gives it me, well and good; if I can make
nothing of him, then I'll attack this new-comer.

SCENE III.

_Enter ANTIPHO from the house, behind at a distance._

ANT. (_to himself._) I'm expecting every moment that Geta will be
here. But I see my uncle standing close by, with my father. Ah me! how
much I fear what influence his return may have upon my father!

GETA. (_to himself._) I'll accost them. (_Goes up to them._) O welcome
to you, our {neighbor} Chremes.

CHREM. Save you, Geta.

GETA. I'm delighted to see you safe returned.

CHREM. I believe you.

GETA. How go matters?

CHREM. Many changes here upon my arrival, as usually the case.

GETA. True; have you heard what has happened to Antipho?

CHREM. All.

GETA. (_to DEMIPHO._) What, have you told him? Disgraceful conduct,
Chremes, thus to be imposed on.

DEM. It was about that I was talking to him just now.

GETA. But really, on carefully reflecting upon this matter I think I
have found a remedy.

DEM. What {is} the remedy?

GETA. When I left you, by accident Phormio met me.

CHREM. Who {is} Phormio?

GETA. He who {patronized} her.

CHREM. I understand.

GETA. It seemed to me that I might first sound him; I took the fellow
aside: "Phormio," said I, "why don't we try to settle these matters
between us rather with a good grace than with a bad one? {My} master's
a generous {man}, and one who hates litigation; but really, upon my
faith, all his friends were just now advising him with one voice to
turn her instantly out of doors."

ANT. (_apart._) What is he about? Or where is this to end at last?

GETA (_continuing the supposed conversation._) "He'll have to give
satisfaction at law, you say, if he turns her out? That has been
already inquired into: aye, aye, you'll have enough to do, if you
engage with him; he is so eloquent. But suppose he's beaten; still,
however, it's not his life, but his money that's at stake." After I
found that the fellow was influenced by these words, I said: "We are
now by ourselves here; come now, what should you like to be given you,
money down, to drop this suit with my master, so that she may betake
herself off, {and} you annoy us no more?"

ANT. (_apart._) Are the Gods quite on good terms with him?[65]

GETA (_continuing the conversation._) "For I'm quite sure, if you were
to mention any thing that's fair and reas