_Davus._ I’ll be bound he’s at this very moment half distracted, and seeking for me all over the town: but where shall I find him, or which way shall I now direct my course. _Char._ Why do you not speak to him? _Davus_ [_going._] Well, I’ll go. _Pam._ Stop, Davus. _Davus._ Who calls me? Oh! Pamphilus! I was seeking for you every where. Charinus, too! well met, Sir; I wanted both of you. _Pam._ Oh Davus, I am quite undone. _Davus._ But hear me. _Pam._ I am quite ruined! _Davus._ I know all your fears. _Char._ And as for me, my very existence is at stake! _Davus._ I know your affair also[115]. _Pam._ A marriage is―――― _Davus._ I know that also. _Pam._ This very day too. _Davus._ You stun me; I tell you I know every thing already. You, Pamphilus, fear lest you should be compelled to marry Philumena; and you, Charinus, lest you should not marry her. _Char._ Exactly so. _Pam._ ’Tis the very thing. _Davus._ Then, Sir, in that very thing there is no danger at all; take my word for it. _Pam._ For heaven’s sake, Davus, if you can do so, rid me of my fears at once. _Davus._ I banish them all; Chremes does not intend to give you his daughter at present. _Pam._ How do you know that? _Davus._ I am sure of it. Your father took me aside just now, and told me that he meant to have you married to-day; and added a great deal more, which I have not time to tell you at present. Immediately I run at full speed to the Forum, to look for you; that I may acquaint you with all this. Not being able to find you, I get upon an eminence, look around; you are no where to be seen. By chance I descry among the crowd, Charinus’ servant Byrrhia; I inquire of him; he knows nothing of you: how vexatious! quite perplexed; I begin to consider what course to take next. Meantime as I was returning and thinking the business over, a suspicion struck me. How’s this! thought I; no extra provision made, the old man gloomy, and the marriage to take place so suddenly! these things don’t appear consistent. _Pam._ Well, what then? _Davus._ I then go directly to Chremes’ house; but when I get there, not a soul [116]do I see before the door; every thing is quite still and quiet, [117]which pleased me not a little. _Char._ Very good. _Pam._ Go on. _Davus._ I stay there a little while, but no one goes in or out; I come quite up to the door, and look in, [118]but can see no bridemaid; no preparations[119]; all was silent. _Pam._ I understand: a good sign! _Davus._ Can all these things be consistent with a marriage? _Pam._ I think not, Davus. _Davus._ Think not! do you say? you must be blind, Sir, not to see it: it is an absolute certainty: besides all this, as I was returning I met Chremes’ servant, who was carrying home some herbs, and as many little [120]fishes for the old man’s supper, as might have cost an obolus. _Char._ Friend Davus, you have been my deliverer to-day. _Davus._ Not at all, Sir, this does not benefit you.