PHÆD. (_to himself._) While I was going[88] into the country, I began on the road, as it mostly happens when there is any anxiety on the mind, to reflect with myself upon one thing after another, and upon every thing in the worst light. What need of words? While I was musing thus, inadvertently I passed my country-house. I had already got some distance from it, when I perceived this; I returned again, really feeling quite uneasy; when I came to the very turning that leads to {the house}, I came to a stop, {and} began to reason with myself; “What! must I stay here alone for two days without her? Well, and what then? It’s nothing at all. What? Nothing at all? Well now, if I haven’t the privilege of touching her, am I not even to have that of seeing her? If I may not do the one, at least I may the other. Surely to love at a distance[89] {even}, is better than nothing at all.” I purposely passed the house. But how’s this, that Pythias is suddenly hurrying out in such a fright? (_Stands apart._) SCENE III. _Enter PYTHIAS and DORIAS in haste from the house of THAIS._ PYTH. (_aloud._) Where, wretch that I am, shall I find this wicked and impious fellow? Or where look for him? That he should dare to commit so audacious a crime as this! I’m ruined outright! PHÆD. (_apart._) I dread what this may be. PYTH. Besides, too, the villain, after he had abused the girl, rent all the poor thing’s clothes, and tore her hair as well. PHÆD. (_apart, in surprise._) Ha! PYTH. If he were just now in my reach, how eagerly would I fly at that villain’s eyes with my nails! PHÆD. (_apart._) Really I can’t imagine what disturbance has happened to us at home in my absence. I’ll accost them. (_Going up to them._) What’s the matter? Why in such haste? Or whom are you looking for, Pythias? PYTH. Why, Phædria, whom should I be looking for? Away with you, as you deserve, with such fine presents of yours. PHÆD. What is the matter? PYTH. What, do you ask? The Eunuch you gave us, what confusion he has caused. He has ravished the girl whom the Captain made present of to my mistress. PHÆD. What is it you say? PYTH. I’m ruined outright! PHÆD. You are drunk. PYTH. I wish that they were so, who wish ill to me. DORIAS. Oh, prithee, my {dear} Pythias, what a monstrous thing this is! PHÆD. You are out of your senses. How could a Eunuch possibly do this? PYTH. I know nothing about him: as to what he has done, the thing speaks for itself. The girl is in tears; and when you ask her what’s the matter, she does not dare tell. But he, a precious fellow, is nowhere to be seen. To my sorrow I suspect too, that when he took himself off he carried something away from the house. PHÆD. I can not enough wonder, whither this varlet can possibly have betaken himself to any distance from here; unless perhaps he has returned home to our house. PYTH. Pray, go and see whether he is there. PHÆD. I’ll let you know immediately. (_Goes into the house of LACHES._)