I shall pray for you, Cæsar.
HELIOGABALUS
Yes, by all means. But this laying on of hands—I have a notion that it might, er—fit my particular case even better.
LUCIA
[Diffidently] We could try.
HELIOGABALUS
So we could. But not here. I have a feeling that a crowd might be—well, unsympathetic. [To the clerk] The court recesses, Mr. Clerk. Clear the room!
[The guards proceed to drive every one out in headlong haste, leaving only HELIOGABALUS, LUCIA and RUFINIUS]
HELIOGABALUS
[To RUFINIUS] I shall cross-examine the witness in chambers. [To LUCIA, offering her his arm] My dear.