RUFINIUS

No, Majesty. The ladies are all asleep.

HELIOGABALUS

Hear, hear! And he "comes in to report, Majesty" just as Majesty is about to—

RUFINIUS

The Empress Paula is breathing very heavily, Majesty. The doctors are trying to revive her.

HELIOGABALUS

[In a sudden rage] What! Revive her! Seven thousand loud damns. Tell them to give her another dose of the same—give them another dose all 'round. Tell those quacks that—the infernal boobies! Off go their toes if a single patient wakes—and both ears. Now quick, before they revive her!

[Pushes RUFINIUS toward the door]

RUFINIUS