CHREM. How do you know that they are now at variance? SIM. Davus himself, who is privy to {all} their plans, has told me so; and he advises me to expedite the match as fast as I can. Do you think he would do so, unless he was aware that my son desired it? You yourself as well shall presently hear what he says. (_Goes to the door of his house and calls._) Halloo there! Call Davus out here. Look, here he is; I see him just coming out. SCENE VI. _Enter DAVUS from the house._ DAV. I was coming to you. SIM. Why, what’s the matter? DAV. Why isn’t the bride sent for?[68] It’s now growing late in the day. SIM. Do you hear me? I’ve been for some time not a little apprehensive of you, Davus, lest you should do that which the common class of servants is in the habit of doing, namely, impose upon me by your artifices; because my son is engaged in an amour. DAV. What, I do that? SIM. I fancied {so}; and therefore, fearing that, I concealed from you what I shall now mention. DAV. What? SIM. You shall know; for now I almost feel confidence in you. DAV. Have you found out at last what sort of a person I am? SIM. The marriage was not to have taken place. DAV. How? Not {to have taken place}? SIM. But I was making pretense, that I might test you {all}. DAV. (_affecting surprise._) What is it you tell me? SIM. Such is the fact. DAV. {Only} see! I was not able to discover that. Dear me! what a cunning contrivance! SIM. Listen to this. Just as I ordered you to go from here into the house, he (_pointing to CHREMES_) most opportunely met me. DAV. (_aside._) Ha! Are we undone, then? SIM. I told him what you just now told me. DAV. (_aside._) Why, what am I to hear? SIM. I begged him to give his daughter, and with difficulty I prevailed upon him. DAV. (_aside._) Utterly ruined! SIM. (_overhearing him speaking._) Eh-- What was it you said? DAV. Extremely well done, I say. SIM. There’s no delay on his part now. CHREM. I’ll go home at once; I’ll tell her to make due preparation, and bring back word here. (_Exit._ SIM. Now I do entreat you, Davus, since you by yourself have brought about this marriage for me---- DAV. I myself, indeed![69] SIM. Do your best still to reform my son. DAV. Troth, I’ll do it with all due care. SIM. Do it now, while his mind is agitated. DAV. You may be at ease. SIM. Come then; where is he just now? DAV. A wonder if he isn’t at home. SIM. I’ll go to him; and what I’ve been telling you, I’ll tell him as well. (_Goes into his house._) SCENE VII. _DAVUS alone._