LUCIA
This infamy must end! A scarlet woman naked before you—and a scarlet woman in your arms!
HELIOGABALUS
[A sudden change of manner] A what in my arms?
LUCIA
A scarlet woman!
[It takes a moment for the charge to soak in, but when it does HELIOGABALUS is completely changed. No more conciliation. He is furiously angry and shows it]
HELIOGABALUS
A scarlet woman? That "scarlet woman" is my wife!
LUCIA