PAR. If you are wise. And don’t be adding to the troubles which love itself produces; those which it does produce, bear patiently. But see, here she is coming herself, the downfall of our fortunes,[31]-- for that which we ought ourselves to enjoy she intercepts. SCENE II. _Enter THAIS from her house._ THAIS (_to herself, not seeing them._) Ah wretched me! I fear lest Phædria should take it amiss or otherwise than I intended it, that he was not admitted yesterday. PHÆD. (_aside to PARMENO._) I’m trembling and shivering all over, Parmeno, at the sight of her. PAR. (_apart._) Be of good heart; {only} approach this fire,[32] you’ll soon be warmer than you need. THAIS (_turning round._) Who is it that’s speaking here? What, are you here, my Phædria? Why are you standing here! Why didn’t you come into the house at once? PAR. (_whispering to PHÆDRIA._) But not a word about shutting you out! THAIS. Why are you silent? PHÆD. Of course, it’s because[33] this door is always open to me, or because I’m the highest in your favor? THAIS. Pass those matters by. PHÆD. How pass them by? O Thais, Thais, I wish that I had equal affection with yourself, and that it were in like degree, that either this, might distress you in the same way that it distresses me, or that I might be indifferent at this being done by you. THAIS. Prithee, don’t torment yourself, my life, my Phædria. Upon my faith, I did it, not because I love or esteem any person more {than you}; but the case was such {that} it was necessary to be done. PAR. (_ironically._) I suppose that, poor thing, you shut him out of doors, for love, according to the usual practice. THAIS. Is it thus you act, Parmeno? Well, well. (_To PHÆDRIA._) But listen-- the reason for which I desired you to be sent for hither-- PHÆD. Go on. THAIS. First tell me this; can this fellow possibly hold his tongue? (_pointing to PARMENO._) PAR. What, I? Perfectly well. But, hark you, upon these conditions I pledge my word to you; the truth that I hear, I’m silent upon, and retain it most faithfully; but if I hear what’s false and without foundation, it’s out at once; I’m full of chinks, and leak in every direction. Therefore, if you wish it to be kept secret, speak the truth. THAIS. My mother was a Samian; she lived at Rhodes-- PAR. That may be kept a secret. THAIS. There, at that period, a certain merchant made present to my mother of a little girl, who had been stolen away from Attica here. PAR. What, a citizen?