PAULA
Oh, what an insult!
HELIOGABALUS
But to resume. You take your turns one by one, quietly and in order. First, let us say—well, first one of you. To be selected by me. I have a system worked out. Each stays on until—until I feel like a change. Then the next. And so on.
PAULA
I see it all. It's a scheme to get that Christian hussy in—and then keep us out!
HELIOGABALUS
[Darkly, rolling his eye over the group of wives] The Christian girl will not be the first. She must take her turn.
CÆLESTIS
See! She remains. What did I tell you?