PHORMIO. 341

Chr. “ All right.”

Dem. ‘We are to drop her?”

Chr. “Yes.”

Dem. “And the other girl is to stop?”

Chr. “ Certainly.”

Naus. “I think that would be best, for she seemed
a very ladylike young person, when I saw her.”

So saying, Nausistrata disappeared into the house.
Chremes made sure that the door was shut, and then
turning to his brother, exclaimed: “It is an interpo- |
sition of Providence; Antipho’s wife is my daughter
Phanium.”

Geta had contrived to overhear what had been going
on, and was not long in telling the news to Antipho.
The only difficulty that remained, concerned the
money that the two old men had paid to Phormio as
a consideration for marrying the girl whom, before
they knew who she really was, they had been so
anxious to get rid of. Phormio, true to his character,
took the bull by the horns. He called at Demipho’s:
house, and inquired for the master.

Dem. (coming from behind). “Ah, Phormio! we
were just on our way to you.”

Phor. “I dare say on the same business that
brought me here. Well, gentlemen, I am a poor
man, but I have always kept my promises. I came
to say that I am quite ready to marry.”

Dem. “Well, to tell the truth, we have thought it
over again. It might have been done before the