_Pam._ Be cautious whither you lead me. _Davus._ Pray, Sir, say no more about it. _Pam._ I will act as you advise me; but we must take care that he knows nothing of the child, for I have promised to bring it up. _Davus._ [126]Is it possible? _Pam._ She entreated me to promise this as a pledge that I would not forsake her. _Davus._ Enough. I will be on my guard; but here comes your father: take care that you do not appear melancholy or embarrassed. SCENE V. DAVUS, PAMPHILUS, SIMO. _Simo._ [_to himself._] I am come back again, to see what they are about; or what course they resolve upon. _Davus._ He is fully persuaded that you will refuse to marry, and has been ruminating by himself in some corner, where he has prepared an harangue with which he expects to embarrass you: therefore take care to be on your guard. _Pam._ I will, Davus, if I can. _Davus._ Do but tell him that you are ready to marry in obedience to his wishes, and you’ll strike the old gentleman dumb: he’ll not mention the subject again, I’ll answer for it. SCENE VI. SIMO, DAVUS, PAMPHILUS, BYRRHIA. _Byrr._ [_to himself._] My master has given me orders to lay all other business aside and watch Pamphilus to-day, that I may discover how he acts touching this marriage; so [127]as I saw the old man coming this way, I followed him. Oh! here is Davus, and his master with him: now then to execute my commission. _Simo._ Oh! there they are together. _Davus._ [_aside to Pamphilus._] Now, Sir, be on your guard. _Simo._ Pamphilus. _Davus._ [_aside to Pamphilus_.] Turn round suddenly, as if you had not perceived him. _Pam._ Ha! my father. _Davus._ [_aside._] Acted to the life. _Simo._ I intend, (as I told you before), to have you married to-day. _Byrr._ [_aside._] Now for my master’s[128] sake, I dread to hear his answer. _Pam._ You shall not find me tardy in obeying your commands, Sir, either on this, or any other subject. _Byrr._ [_aside._] Ha! I am[129] struck dumb. What did he say? _Simo._ You do your duty, when you meet my wishes with a ready compliance. _Davus._ [_aside to Pam._] Was I not right, Sir? _Byrr._ [_aside._] From what I hear, I fancy my master has nothing to do, but to provide himself with another mistress as soon as possible[130]. _Simo._ Now, Pamphilus, go in immediately, that you may be ready when you are wanted. _Pam._ I go, Sir. [_Exit._ _Byrr._ [_aside._] Is there no honour, no sincerity in any man? I find the common proverb to be true. Every man loves himself best. I have seen Philumena, and I remember that I thought her charming; in truth, I cannot much blame Pamphilus, that he had rather wed her himself than yield her to my master. Well, I’ll carry him an account of what has passed. I suppose I shall receive an abundance of bad language in return for my bad news[131].