EMPEROR
Daughter of Heaven, deign to raise your eyes to gaze upon the heart-broken conqueror who bows before you. Deign to look and to recognise him. Doubtless you will remember him. But can you feel anything save utter hatred for him?
EMPRESS
[Far away, her eyes still lowered.] To recognise him, I do not need to hear his voice again nor to gaze upon his face. The light has dawned upon my mind during the hours of my captivity. Before I was brought in here, I knew full well into whose presence I was coming.
[A silence, during which the EMPEROR remains bowed before her.]
EMPRESS
To the Daughter of the Mings, what message can the Tartar Emperor have?
EMPEROR [Seeing her hands bound with the silken cord]
Oh! but your hands are tied! I ordered that to save you from yourself. But now! [He approaches, yet hesitates to touch her hands. The EMPRESS draws back, gazing at him for the first time.] Oh! pardon——Before you, in the depth of my grief, I had forgotten. I had almost dared to touch your bruised hands. And yet you are more sacred to me here than there in Nanking, in all your splendour. [He strikes the gong softly. An OFFICIAL appears.]
EMPEROR [To the OFFICIAL]