I am rather
stupid, I am afraid.
CATHERINE. Stupid! By no means. Courage, Captain: we are pleased.
[He falls on his knee. She takes his cheeks in her hands: turns
up his face: and adds] We are greatly pleased. [She slaps his
cheek coquettishly: he bows almost to his knee.] The petit lever
is over. [She turns to go into the cabinet, and stumbles against
the supine Patiomkin.] Ach! [Edstaston springs to her assistance,
seizing Patiomkin's heels and shifting him out of the Empress's
path.] We thank you, Captain.
He bows gallantly and is rewarded by a very gracious smile. Then
Catherine goes into her cabinet, followed by the princess
Dashkoff, who turns at the door to make a deep courtsey to
Edstaston.
VARINKA. Happy Little Father! Remember: I did this for you. [She
runs out after the Empress.]
Edstaston, somewhat dazed, crosses the room to the courtiers, and
is received with marked deference, each courtier making him a
profound bow or curtsey before withdrawing through the central
doors. He returns each obeisance with a nervous jerk, and turns
away from it, only to find another courtier bowing at the other
side. The process finally reduced him to distraction, as he bumps
into one in the act of bowing to another and then has to bow his
apologies.
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