im affectionately)
Dear Caesar: are you angry with me? Why do you look at me so? I have
been here with you all the time. How can I know what has happened?

CAESAR (reflectively). That is true.

CLEOPATRA (greatly relieved, trying to caress him). Of course it is
true. (He does not respond to the caress.) You know it is true, Rufio.

The murmur without suddenly swells to a roar and subsides.

RUFIO. I shall know presently. (He makes for the altar in the burly trot
that serves him for a stride, and touches Ftatateeta on the shoulder.)
Now, mistress: I shall want you. (He orders her, with a gesture, to go
before him.)

FTATATEETA (rising and glowering at him). My place is with the Queen.

CLEOPATRA. She has done no harm, Rufio.

CAESAR (to Rufio). Let her stay.

RUFIO (sitting down on the altar). Very well. Then my place is here too;
and you can see what is the matter for yourself. The city is in a pretty
uproar, it seems.

CAESAR (with grave displeasure). Rufio: there is a time for obedience.

RUFIO. And there is a time for obstinacy. (He folds his arms doggedly.)

CAESAR (to Cleopatra). Send her away.

CLEOPATRA (whining in her eagerness to propitiate him). Yes, I will.
I will do whatever you ask me, Caesar, always, because I love you.
Ftatateeta: go away.

FTATATEETA. The Queen's word is my will. I shall be at hand for the
Queen's call. (She goes out past Ra, as she came.)

RUFIO (following her). Remember, Caesar, YOUR bodyguard also is within
call. (He follows her out.)

Cleopatra, presuming upon Caesar's submission to Rufio, leaves the table
and sits down on the bench in the colonnade.

CLEOPATRA. Why do you allow Rufio to treat you so? You should teach him
his place.

CAESAR. Teach him to be my enemy, and to hide his thoughts from me as
you are now hiding yours.

CLEOPATRA (her fears returning). Why do you say that, Caesar? Indeed,
indeed, I am not hiding anything. You are wrong to treat me like this.
(She stifles a sob.) I am only a child; and you turn into stone because
you think some one has been killed. I cannot bear it. (She purposely
breaks down and weeps. He looks at her with profound sadness and
complete coldness. She looks up to see what effect she is producing.
Seeing that he is unmoved, she sits up, pretending to struggle with her
emotion and to put it bravely away.) But there: I know you hate tears:
you shall not be troubled with them. I know you are not angry, but only
sad; only I a