GRAND SECRETARY
He is the favourite of to-morrow. We shall have to reckon with him.
EMPRESS
You gave my son a jewel marvellously cut, a dragon, emblem of the Imperial Power. He is delighted with it, and wishes me to offer you in his name, the emblem of the Empresses, a phoenix, with wings of sapphires and rubies.
[GOLDEN LOTUS approaches and presents a jewel-case on a salver]
EMPEROR
I wish to receive it on bended knee, and to assure you that it will be with me always. [He bends the knee.]
EMPRESS [To GOLDEN LOTUS]
Golden Lotus, did you, as I command, attach a ring on which to hang it?
GOLDEN LOTUS