You are still thinking of that heathen Dacia.

HELIOGABALUS

Nonsense, sweet potato. You are really quite absurd. [Suddenly irritated] Damn it all, a man must be polite.

LUCIA

[Jealously] But you used to love her before I converted you to the Faith.

HELIOGABALUS

[Starting to take off his tunic again] Ah, who knows? Love—what is it? A sort of optical delusion, an enchantment—almost alcoholic.

[He gets it over his head, and stands rubbing his bare arms and shoulders]

LUCIA