A wife? I have eleven.
LUCIA
[Horrified] What! Eleven!
HELIOGABALUS
Eleven living. My poor, dear Marcia is dead—among others. Paula succeeded her. Dynastic reasons, my juicy plum: the merit system was unheard of in those days. Then there is Annia Faustina, with the red hair. And Cælestis. I married her in Gaul: I was very lonely. And then there is Aquilia Severa. And Falia. And dear little Dacia. That was Dacia who was with me when those scoundrels brought you in. You will like Dacia—that is, you would like her if you knew her. And then there is Gestina. And—
[He hesitates]
LUCIA
That makes seven.
HELIOGABALUS
And Blenina, the blonde. And Alinia. And—