LUCIA

That makes nine.

HELIOGABALUS

Well, let so much be considered the reading of the minutes. It would only bore you to go on. Besides, why do it? Put them beside you, my new baby—oh, my! You saw one of them—Paula. Imagine a cultivated man, a man of artistic tastes, swapping a real kiss with—

LUCIA

But the Lord forbids. A man must cleave to one wife.

HELIOGABALUS

A sensible idea. In fact, a capital idea. If the rest of Christianity is like that, put down my name at once. But it's too late.

LUCIA