HELIOGABALUS
[A bit irritated] Yes, yes; I have read it. The theory is very lovely. It has affected me greatly; I have adopted it as you know. But here I have these girls legally on my hands, and surely you wouldn't ask me to—
LUCIA
You should be glad to get rid of them. Such a pack of—of—
HELIOGABALUS
Now, now, I must really forbid you. Paula, of course, is open to a certain criticism, at least æsthetically. And Cælestis is probably no stunner. But among the others there are certainly a number who—
LUCIA
[Tearfully] You don't love me in the proper Christian way!
HELIOGABALUS