And her name is Golden Lotus.
GOLDEN LOTUS [to ARROW-BEARER]
My lord, I heard that you ordered the flowers to be removed——Was I misinformed?
ARROW-BEARER
I dared to raise my voice to give that order——Can I have displeased you?
GOLDEN LOTUS
Oh! no——But I desire to ask your indulgence for the lovely dead flowers. Permit them to remain there as a carpet at the foot of our pavilion. Though broken from their stems, they are still beautiful and keep their perfume.
ARROW-BEARER
What glory for me to obey you! I envy those flowers which will be trod by your little feet.
[He makes a sign for the gardeners to withdraw.]