what does this mean? Although I wish to get her away,
and think that by these means it could most probably be effected;
still, rather than make an enemy of you, I'll do as you request me.

PHAED. I {only} wish that you used that expression from your heart and
truthfully, "rather than make an enemy of you." If I could believe
that this was said sincerely, I could put up with any thing.

PAR. (_aside._) He staggers; how instantaneously is he vanquished by a
single expression!

THAIS. I, wretched woman, not speak from my heart? What, pray, did you
ever ask of me in jest, but that you carried your point? I am unable
to obtain {even} this of you, that you would grant {me} only two days.

PHAED. If, indeed, {it is but} two days; but don't let these days
become twenty.

THAIS. Assuredly not more than two days, or--

PHAED. "Or?" I won't have it.

THAIS. It shall not be; only do allow me to obtain this of you.

PHAED. Of course that which you desire must be done.

THAIS. I love you as you deserve; you act obligingly.

PHAED. (_to PARMENO._) I shall go into the country; there I shall worry
myself for the {next} two days: I'm resolved to do so; Thais must be
humored. Do you, Parmeno, take care that they are brought hither.

PAR. Certainly.

PHAED. For the next two days {then}, Thais, adieu.

THAIS. And the same to you, my Phaedria; do you desire aught else?

PHAED. What should I desire? That, present with the Captain, you may be
as if absent; that night and day you may love me; may feel my absence;
may dream of me; may be impatient for me; may think about me; may hope
for me; may centre your delight in me; may be all in all with me; in
fine, if you will, be my {very} life, as I am yours.

(_Exeunt PHAEDRIA and PARMENO._

SCENE III.

_THAIS alone._

THAIS, (_to herself._) Ah wretched me![39] perhaps now he puts but
little faith in me, and forms his estimate of me from the dispositions
of other women.[40] By my troth, I, who know my own self, am very sure
of this, that I have not feigned any thing that's false, and that no
person is dearer to my heart than this {same} Phaedria; and whatever in
the present case I have done, for {this} girl's sake have I done it;
for I trust that now I have pretty nearly discovered her brother,
a young man of very good family; and he has appointed this day to come
to me at my house. I'll go hence in-doors, and wait until he comes.
(_She goes into her house._)

A