Catherine, blazing with wrath, pushes Edstaston off her bed
on to the floor: gets out of bed: and turns on Patiomkin with so
terrible an expression that all kneel down hastily except
Edstaston, who is sprawling on the carpet in angry confusion.
CATHERINE. Patiomkin, how dare you? [Looking at Edstaston.] What
is this?
PATIOMKIN [on his knees, tearfully]. I don't know. I am drunk.
What is this, Varinka?
EDSTASTON [scrambling to his feet]. Madam, this drunken ruffian--
PATIOMKIN. Thas true. Drungn ruffian. Took dvantage of my being
drunk. Said: take me to Lil angel Mother. Take me to beaufl
Empress. Take me to the grea'st woman on earth. Thas whas he he
said. I took him. I was wrong. I am not sober.
CATHERINE. Men have grown sober in Siberia for less, Prince.
PATIOMKIN. Serve em right! Sgusting habit. Ask Varinka.
Catherine turns her face from him to the Court. The courtiers see
that she is trying not to laugh, and know by experience that she
will not succeed. They rise, relieved and grinning.
VARINKA. It is true. He drinks like a pig.
PATIOMKIN [plaintively]. No: not like pig. Like prince. Lil
Mother made poor Patiomkin prince. Whas use being prince if I
mayn't drink?
CATHERINE [biting her lips].
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