SYRUS. I'll tell you. But as one thing brings in another---- CHREM. Well? SYRUS. This Bacchis is a sad jade. CHREM. So it seems. SYRUS. Aye, Sir, if you knew all; nay, even now She's hatching mischief.--Dwelling hereabouts, There was of late an old Corinthian woman, To whom this Bacchis lent a thousand pieces. CHREM. What then? SYRUS. The woman's dead; and left behind A daughter, very young, whom she bequeath'd, By way of pledge, 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, if so, my master gains a loss. SOSTRA. No, I have not: but there was at that time An old Corinthian woman dwelling here, To whom I gave the child to be expos'd.