[_Horrified._] Who told thee ... whence ...? HERODIAS So real and positive is my hold over thee. Just now, when thou didst say I raved, thou wast reflecting how thou couldst best get rid of me.... Thou fool; then get rid of thy wakeful nights and all that which thou thinkest great in thyself, the inheritance of that greater than thou, whom thou wilt never equal.... HEROD Woman ... what ... [_his words choke in his throat._] HERODIAS [_Laughing._] Speak out what thou hast to say. If thou no longer needest me for love, thou mayest still require me as a listener and adviser. HEROD [_After he has walked up and down several times in great excitement._] Never resemble.... What is the man who smiles amiably in wrath? A coward?... What is the man, who has two faces? Insincere?... Who fawns on those in power. Servile? No; because the great Herod also did these things. But sometimes, when the blood throbbed to bursting in his veins, he snatched his sword from the sheath and slashed at friend and enemy alike who stood in his way ... till the blood of his victim washed him calm and cool again ... till the mighty at Rome experienced a thrill at such a display of strength.... I, too, feel the blood hammering in my veins.... I, too, would ... but I have no sword ... and so I must continue to smile amiably ... continue showing two faces, and licking the sandals of the priests.... I, the son of Herod; I, his ape! HERODIAS And suppose that the priests of the Temple adopted the attitude of shield and barrier betwixt thee and the fury of the people, wouldst thou doubt thyself less? HEROD I doubt myself not. And what thou sayest can never happen. HERODIAS [_Goes to the middle door and opens it._] [_A Porteress enters._] HERODIAS What tidings hast thou? THE PORTERESS The two messengers to the Temple, mistress, have come back with word from the High Priest. HERODIAS Show them into the outer hall.... They shall wait there. [_Exit the Porteress._] HEROD [_With a laugh of rage and fear._] Are their trumpets already sounding on the road? Hath the great curse already reached the door? HERODIAS Thou art wrong, my friend. Only a little blessing scratches at the door.... If it pleaseth thee, let it come in. HEROD Thou dreamest. HERODIAS Listen to me! Why did I come before thee in haste to inhabit this empty house?... Because every hour since I came I have been negotiating with the priests---- HEROD Thou? HERODIAS What if instead of hiding the sinning woman from the people, thou, with head held aloft, repairest with her to the Temple? Would it not be an ironical event if the High Priest, with the same air of patriarchal servility with which he greeted the virtuous Mariamne, also smiled a welcome to thy brother's runaway wife? HEROD With what sum hast thou purchased this? HERODIAS When it is given, it will be a present, not a purchase. HEROD