The Ball.—A magnificent, brilliantly illuminated room. Big double doors at left and right. High arches in the back wall give out into a corridor, and beyond each arch is a tall glass door, curtained with some transparent material.
Down right a table is laid for seven. Two tabourettes stand between the table and the audience. Soft music can be heard off stage. It is midnight.
When the curtain rises Cæsar is pouring wine into the glasses and putting the finishing touches to the table arrangements. Finished, he goes to the door at right and stands, immobile as a statue.
The glass door back left opens; Symphorosa enters. For a moment the music sounds louder, a glimpse of people dancing can be seen; then the door is closed.
Symphorosa stops, looks back as if she is expecting someone to follow her. After a brief pause the door is opened again and Beatrice enters.
