Bad, bad, Cæsar.
[A great crash in the ostium, with yells. HELIOGABALUS jumps to his feet and reaches for his sword, almost dropping LUCIA. Presently a Christian comes bounding in, with RUFINIUS and two guards hanging to him. RUFINIUS is in his undershirt and barefooted. The Christian is a man of gigantic stature, and the three have difficulty in holding him. But finally they pin his arms behind him]
THE CHRISTIAN
I want to see Cæsar! I must face Cæsar!
HELIOGABALUS
[Observing that the three have at last made him, fast. Folding his arms] Let him speak.
THE CHRISTIAN
I accuse you, Cæsar, of debauchery.
HELIOGABALUS
What! You come here in the middle of the night to—