BAGOAS. The Council awaits your highness.

(_Suddenly_ Holofernes _snatches the veil from_ Judith, _and throws it
on the floor. He gazes at her._ Judith _prostrates herself_. Holofernes
_drops on to the couch, and looks at everything except_ Judith.)

HOLOFERNES (_imperiously_). Rise. (Judith _rises. A pause_. Holofernes
_plays with a jewel on his costume. Without looking at_ Judith.) And
Achior?

JUDITH. Illustrious Prince.

HOLOFERNES. Did the slave reach Bethulia?

JUDITH. The men of Bethulia took him, and he declared to them all that
he had spoken to my lord Prince. And many approved him.

HOLOFERNES. And what sayest _thou_ of Achior?

JUDITH. O lord and governor, I say: Reject not the word of Achior, but
lay it up in your heart.

HOLOFERNES. Thou art bold.

JUDITH. The word of Achior is true. For the Israelites shall not be
punished, and the sword shall not prevail against them, except they sin
against their God.

HOLOFERNES. Not even _my_ sword?