[In round, resonant tones] For shame!
[HELIOGABALUS has been lolling with his arm around DACIA. The words electrify him. He leaps to his feet, and stands there for a second as if thunderstruck and speechless]
LUCIA
[Her arms folded, standing firmly, as if defying the universe to move her] For shame!
[The music stops and the dancer collapses. CAIUS grasps the table unsteadily. A dozen other guests leap to their feet. There is a dead silence]
HELIOGABALUS
[Taking a step forward] Hell!
LUCIA
You may well say hell. There is nothing in hell itself—
HELIOGABALUS