What else did you presume to admire her Majesty for,
pray?
EDSTASTON [addled]. Well, I--I--I--that is, I--[He stammers
himself dumb.]
CATHERINE [after a pitiless silence]. We are waiting for your
answer.
EDSTASTON. But I never said I admired your Majesty. The lady has
twisted my words.
VARINKA. You don't admire her, then?
EDSTASTON. Well, I--naturally--of course, I can't deny that the
uniform was very becoming--perhaps a little unfeminine--still-
Dead silence. Catherine and the Court watch him stonily. He is
wretchedly embarrassed.
CATHERINE [with cold majesty]. Well, sir: is that all you have to
say?
EDSTASTON. Surely there is no harm in noticing that er--that er--
[He stops again.]
CATHERINE. Noticing that er--? [He gazes at her, speechless, like
a fascinated rabbit. She repeats fiercely.] That er--?
EDSTASTON [startled into speech]. Well, that your Majesty was--
was--[soothingly] Well, let me put it this way: that it was
rather natural for a man to admire your Majesty without being a
philosopher.
CATHERINE [suddenly smiling and extending her hand to him to be
kissed]. Courtier!
EDSTASTON [kissing it]. Not at all. Your Majesty is very good. I
have been very awkward; but I did not intend it.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61