The average chatter of Pratinas and Valeria had been gall and wormwood to him, and he had been glad enough to evade it; but here was Pratinas with a secret which he clearly did not wish Pisander to know.

And Pisander, prompted by most unphilosophical motives, resolved within himself to play the eavesdropper.

The boudoir was approached by three doors, one from the peristylium, one from Valeria's private sleeping chamber, one from the servants' quarters.
Pisander went out through the first, and going through other rooms to the third, took his station by that entrance.

He met Arsinoe, and took the friendly maid into his plot, by stationing her on guard to prevent the other servants from interfering with him.

Then applying his ear to the large keyhole of the door, he could understand all that was passing in the boudoir.