EMPEROR
He shall be rewarded by Heaven and by me. As for the grandees of my court who dared to stop my Courier, have them found at once and dealt with by the executioner to-morrow. Why do the gods permit that in my lofty position, happiness should be almost unrealisable, when murder is so easy? Now go! [Indicating FOUNT-IN-THE-FOREST] I wish to speak with my councillor.
[The GRAND MASTER goes out.]
SCENE V.
EMPEROR, FOUNT.
EMPEROR [To FOUNT, who is still prostrate]
Arise, friend, we are alone. You have already guessed my project, have you not? I want her to come here, near me. [Pointing to the throne.] Pale and in the white of her deep mourning as she is, I want her to come here, to sit beside me on my throne——To-day, I am going to present her to my people as my affianced bride. Let the Dignitaries of my Court prostrate themselves before their Empress, at the same time as before their Emperor——without her there is neither Empire nor triumph for me——
FOUNT
She has consented?