PATIOMKIN [surprised and impressed]. Is it? You are learned! You
are a doctor! You English are wonderful! We are barbarians,
drunken pigs. Catherine does not know it; but we are. Catherine's
a German. But I have given her a Russian heart [he is about to
slap himself again.]
EDSTASTON [delicately]. The other side, your Highness.
PATIOMKIN [maudlin]. Darling, a true Russian has a heart on both
sides.
The Sergeant enters carrying a goblet filled with precious
stones.
PATIOMKIN. Get out. [He snatches the goblet and kicks the
Sergeant out, not maliciously but from habit, indeed not noticing
that he does it.] Darling, have some diamonds. Have a fistful.
[He takes up a handful and lets them slip back through his
fingers into the goblet, which he then offers to Edstaston.]
EDSTASTON. Thank you, I don't take presents.
PATIOMKIN [amazed]. You refuse!
EDSTASTON. I thank your Highness; but it is not the custom for
English gentlemen to take presents of that kind.
PATIOMKIN. Are you really an Englishman?
EDSTASTON [bows]!
PATIOMKIN. You are the first Englishman I ever saw refuse
anything he could get. [He puts the goblet on the table; then
turns again to Edstaston.] Listen, darling.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44