HELIOGABALUS
My dear, I forbid you. Such talk is libellous, and grossly licentious. You will make me believe that the wine has—affected you.
PAULA
[To LUCIA] Don't you let him come over you with his soft-soap. That man could talk a woman into anything. Haven't I seen him do it, with one girl after another? He'll make you believe you are Venus and then, when you get to be as I am, he'll—
HELIOGABALUS
What foolishness, my dear! Imagine this beautiful, this innocent, girl ever getting like you are!
PAULA
Wasn't I beautiful and innocent once?
HELIOGABALUS