Eri. Keep me no longer in suspense; say what it is you came to tell me.
Cli. An insignificant thing about Sostratus, Madam, which I will tell you another time when you are less engaged.
Eri. Keep me no longer in suspense, and tell me the news.
Cli. You wish to know it, Madam?
Eri. Yes, be quick. What is it about Sostratus?
Cli. A wonderful adventure which nobody expected.
Eri. Tell it me at once.
Cli. Will it not trouble you, Madam, in your gloomy melancholy?
Eri. Ah! Speak, I say.
Cli. I must tell you, then, Madam, that the princess your mother was going almost alone through the forest by those little paths which are so pleasant, when a frightful boar—those ugly boars are always doing mischief, and should be banished from civilised forests—when a hideous boar, I say, driven to bay, I believe, by some huntsmen, came right across the path where we were. I ought, perhaps, to adorn my account with an elaborate description of this said boar; but you must try and do without it, if you please, and be satisfied to know that it was a terribly ugly brute. It was going on its way, and it would have been as well not to disturb it; but the princess wished to show her skill, and with her dart, which, if I may say so, she launched somewhat unseasonably, inflicted a slight wound just above the ear. The ill-bred boar turned impertinently upon us. We were then two or three wretches who became pale with fright; each gained his tree, and the princess was left alone, exposed to the fury of the beast, when Sostratus appeared, just in time, as if the very gods had sent him.