The end of Aristomenes’ tale finds Lucius already in Hypata, searching for the house of his host, the frugal Milo. A random stranger points Lucius in the right direction, albeit not without making what might later be regarded as an ill-omened remark: Milo lives alone with his wife and her slave-girl, his companion in adversity. Indeed, Lucius’ acquaintance with the two women residing at Milo’s house and his eventual knowledge of their magical mingling ultimately leads to the