Chrem. Nay, he could not have more happily contrived to bring about what we want.
Ant. (apart.) Undone!
Chrem. Go on with your story.
Geta. At first the fellow raved.
Dem. Say, what did he ask?
Geta. What? A great deal too much.
Chrem. How much? Tell me.
Geta. Suppose he were to give a great talent.
Dem. Aye, faith, perdition to him rather; has he no shame?
Geta. Just what I said to him: “Pray,” said I, “suppose he was portioning an only daughter of his own. It has been of little benefit that he hasn’t one of his own, when another has been found to be demanding a fortune.” To be brief, and to pass over his impertinences, this at last was his final answer: “I,” said he, “from the very first, have been desirous to marry the daughter of my friend, as was fit I should; for I was aware of the ill results of this, a poor wife being married into a rich family, and becoming a slave. But, as I am now conversing with you unreservedly, I was in want of a wife to bring me a little money with which to pay off my debts; and even yet, if Demipho is willing to give as much as I am to receive with her to whom I am engaged, there is no one whom I should better like for a wife.”