PHOR. So may the Gods bless me, this has turned out luckily. I’m glad {of it}, that such good fortune has thus suddenly befallen them. I have now an excellent opportunity for diddling the old men, and ridding Phædria of {all} anxiety about the money, so that he mayn’t be under the necessity of applying to any of his companions. For this same money, as it has been given him, shall be given {for good}, whether they like it or not: how to force them to this, I’ve found out the very way. I must now assume a new air and countenance. But I’ll betake myself off to this next alley; from that spot I’ll present myself to them, when they come out of doors. I sha’n’t go to the fair, where I pretended I was going. (_He retires into the alley._) ACT THE FIFTH. SCENE I. _Enter DEMIPHO and CHREMES, from DEMIPHO’S house._ DEM. I do give and return hearty thanks to the Gods, and with reason, brother, inasmuch as these matters have turned out for us so fortunately. We must now meet with Phormio as soon as possible, before he squanders our thirty minæ, so that we may get them from him. _Enter PHORMIO, coming forward, and speaking aloud, as though not seeing them._ PHOR. I’ll go see if Demipho’s at home; that as to what[83]-- DEM. (_accosting him._) Why, Phormio, we were coming to you. PHOR. Perhaps about the very same affair. (_DEMIPHO nods assent._) I’ faith, I thought so. What were you coming to my house for? Ridiculous; are you afraid that I sha’n’t do what I have once undertaken? Hark you, whatever is my poverty, still, of this one thing I have taken due care, not to forfeit my word. CHREM. (_to DEMIPHO._) Is she not genteel-looking,[84] just as I told you? DEM. Very much so. PHOR. And this is what I’m come to tell you, Demipho, that I’m quite ready; whenever you please, give me my wife. For I postponed all my {other} business, as was fit I should, when I understood that you were so very desirous to have it so. DEM. (_pointing to CHREMES._) But he has dissuaded me from giving her to you. “For what,” says he, “will be the talk among people if you do this? Formerly, when she might have been handsomely {disposed of}, then she wasn’t given; now it’s a disgrace for her to be turned out of doors, a repudiated woman;” pretty nearly, {in fact}, all the reasons which you yourself, some little time since, were urging to me. PHOR. Upon my faith, you are treating me in a very insulting manner. DEM. How so? PHOR. Do you ask me? Because I shall not be able to marry the other person {I mentioned}; for with what face shall I return to her whom I’ve slighted? CHREM. Then besides, I see that Antipho is unwilling to part with her. (_Aside, prompting DEMIPHO._) Say so. DEM. Then besides, I see that my son is very unwilling to part with the damsel. But have the goodness to step over to the Forum, and order this money to be transferred to my account,[85] Phormio. PHOR. What, when I’ve paid it over to the persons to whom I was indebted?