PAULA

Yes, by one of your Christian street-preachers. I've seen him! He looks like a drum-major. But this is Rome, and—

LUCIA

[Explosively] Well, when it comes to that, what of yourself? Where did you come from? Doesn't everybody know that you were a chamber-maid in Alexandria?

PAULA

[Sputtering] I was nothing of the sort, you—! My father was a general in the army.

ANNIA

My father was Governor of Macedonia.

LUCIA

[Leaping at the chance] Oh, was he? And who was your first husband?