SCENE IV.

_The_ EMPEROR, FOUNT, _the_ GRAND MASTER _of_ CEREMONIES.

EMPEROR [_In full regalia, his expression sombre_]

How many heads did you say had already fallen?

GRAND MASTER

Barely fifty, sire. Your General, as though with a presentiment of the clemency of your Majesty, had proceeded with audacious lack of energy.

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._]