GNA. The precedent pleases me. (_Aside._) I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper;[110] but her door makes a noise. THRA. Confusion! Why, what mischief’s this? I never saw this person before; why, I wonder, is he rushing out in such a hurry? (_They stand aside._) SCENE IX. _Enter CHÆREA from the house of THAIS, on the other side of the stage._ CHÆ. (_to himself, aloud._) O fellow-townsmen, is there any one alive more fortunate than me this day? Not any one, upon my faith: for clearly in me have the Gods manifested all their power, on whom, thus suddenly, so many blessings are bestowed. PAR. (_apart._) Why is he {thus} overjoyed? CHÆ. (_seeing PARMENO, and running up to him._) O my {dear} Parmeno, the contriver, the beginner, the perfecter of all my delights, do you know what are my transports? Are you aware that my Pamphila has been discovered to be a citizen? PAR. I have heard {so}. CHÆ. Do you know that she is betrothed to me? PAR. So may the Gods bless me, happily done. GNA. (_apart to THRASO._) Do you hear what he says? CHÆ. And then, besides, I am delighted that my brother’s mistress is secured to him; the family is united. Thais has committed herself to the patronage of my father;[111] she has put herself under our care and protection. PAR. Thais, then, is wholly your brother’s. CHÆ. Of course. PAR. Then this is another reason for us to rejoice, that the Captain will be beaten out of doors. CHÆ. Wherever my brother is, do you take care that he hears this as soon as possible. PAR. I’ll go look for him at home. (_Goes into the house of LACHES._) THRA. (_apart to GNATHO._) Do you at all doubt, Gnatho, but that I am now ruined everlastingly? GNA. (_to THRASO._) Without doubt, I do think so. CHÆ. (_to himself._) What am I to make mention of first, or commend in especial? Him who gave me the advice to do so, or myself, who ventured to undertake it? Or ought I to extol fortune, who has been my guide, and has so opportunely crowded into a single day events so numerous, so important; or my father’s kindness and indulgence? Oh Jupiter, I entreat you, do preserve these blessings unto us! SCENE X. _Enter PHÆDRIA from the house of LACHES._ PHÆD. (_to himself._) Ye Gods, by our trust in you, what incredible things has Parmeno just related to me! But where is my brother? CHÆ. (_stepping forward._) Here he is. PHÆD. I’m overjoyed. CHÆ. I quite believe you. There is no one, brother, more worthy to be loved than this Thais of yours: so much is she a benefactress to all our family. PHÆD. Whew! are you commending her {too} to me? THRA. (_apart._) I’m undone; the less the hope I have, the more I am in love. Prithee, Gnatho, my hope is in you. GNA. (_apart._) What do you wish me to do? THRA. (_apart._) Bring this about, by entreaties {or} with money, that I may at least share Thais’s favors in some degree. GNA. (_apart._) It’s a hard task.