HELIOGABALUS

[Melting, he slips his arm around her] Oh, if you put it on those grounds, why, of course—[He strokes her hair] Do you like me, Lucia, just a little bit?

LUCIA

I'd like you more, Cæsar, if—

HELIOGABALUS

[Sentimentally] How much more?

LUCIA

[Her eyes downcast] Maybe a great deal more, if—

HELIOGABALUS

Honest? You swear it?