SOS. How much beyond my hopes has {this matter} turned out! How dreadfully afraid I was, Chremes, that you would now be of feelings as unrelenting as formerly you were on exposing {the child}. CHREM. Many a time a man can not be[77] such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it. Time has now so brought it about, that I should be glad of a daughter; formerly {I wished for} nothing less. (_CHREMES and SOSTRATA go into the house._) SCENE II. _SYRUS alone._ SYR. Unless my fancy deceives me,[78] retribution[79] will not be very, far off from me; so much by this incident are my forces now utterly driven into straits; unless I contrive by some means that the old man mayn’t come to know that this {damsel} is his son’s mistress. For as to entertaining any hopes about the money, or supposing I could cajole him, it’s useless; I shall be {sufficiently} triumphant, if I’m allowed to escape with my sides covered.[80] I’m vexed that such a {tempting} morsel has been so suddenly snatched away from my jaws. What am I to do? Or what shall I devise? I must begin upon my plan over again. Nothing is so difficult, but that it may be found out by seeking. What now if I set about it after this fashion. (_He considers._) That’s of no use. What, if after this fashion? I effect just about the same. But this I think will do. It can not. Yes! excellent. Bravo! I’ve found out the best of all-- I’ faith, I do believe that after all I shall lay hold of this same runaway money.[81] SCENE III. _Enter CLINIA at the other side of the stage._ CLIN. (_to himself._) Nothing can possibly henceforth befall me of such consequence as to cause {me} uneasiness; so extreme is this joy that has surprised me. Now then I shall give myself up entirely to my father, to be more frugal than {even} he could wish. SYR. (_apart._) I wasn’t mistaken; she has been discovered, so far as I understand from these words of his. (_Advancing._) I am rejoiced that this matter has turned out for you so much to your wish. CLIN. O my {dear} Syrus, have you heard of it, pray? SYR. How shouldn’t I, when I was present all the while? CLIN. Did you {ever} hear of any thing falling out so fortunately for any one? SYR. Never. CLIN. And, so may the Gods prosper me, I do not now rejoice so much on my own account as hers, whom I know to be deserving of any honor. SYR. I believe it: but now, Clinia, come, attend to me in my turn. For your friend’s business as well,-- it must be seen to-- that it is placed in a state of security, lest the old gentleman should now {come to know} any thing about his mistress. CLIN. O Jupiter! SYR. Do be quiet. CLIN. My Antiphila will be mine. SYR. Do you {still} interrupt me thus? CLIN. What can I do? My {dear} Syrus, I’m transported with joy! Do bear with me. SYR. I’ faith, I really do bear with you. CLIN. We are blest with the life of the Gods. SYR. I’m taking pains to no purpose, I doubt. CLIN. Speak; I hear you.