POLORUS
Stand back! You are suffocating her!
HELIOGABALUS
[Losing patience] Here, fools! Give me the goblet.
[He seizes it and pours half of its contents down LUCIA'S throat. She gasps, coughs, gags and then gradually sits up. As she opens her eyes she sights PAULA]
LUCIA
[An exclamation of terror] Oh! Oh! Take her away!
[PAULA hops back in great confusion]
PAULA
[Ingratiatingly] Don't be afraid, dearie.