Alc. You're Phania, then!
Pha. [Giving her hand] I am.
Alc. No more than this?
No kiss?
Pha. [Very shy] You've had it, sir.
Alc. A phantom one!
'Twas in a dream, as two ghost-lovers meet
On an Elysian path. Too cold for earth!
Pha. [Touching her cheek] Nay, it is warm here yet.
[He takes her in his arms, and they withdraw lower right. Pelagon enters, upper right, in time to witness the embrace]
Pel. [Rousing from his horror] Her brother! Gods!
Whip me all hagglers! We have stood so long
At door of our confession that this shame
Gets by us. Phania and Alcanor! Oh!
No shuffling now! When Stesilaus comes,
The tale must out!
[Enter Pyrrha, middle left. She crosses, passing Pelagon, who retreats rear, unseen by her. She loiters right]
Pel. Here's opportunity
At beck. I'll follow. [Advances] Ahem! My daughter,——