VOICES FROM THE BALLROOM. Stand back. You cannot pass. Hold her
back there. The Empress's orders. It is out of the question. No,
little darling, not in there. Nobody is allowed in there. You
will be sent to Siberia. Don't let her through there, on your
life. Drag her back. You will be knouted. It is hopeless,
Mademoiselle: you must obey orders. Guard there! Send some men to
hold her.
CLAIRE'S VOICE. Let me go. They are torturing Charles in there. I
WILL go. How can you all dance as if nothing was happening? Let
me go, I tell you. Let--me--go. [She dashes through the curtain,
no one dares follow her.]
CATHERINE [rising in wrath]. How dare you?
CLAIRE [recklessly]. Oh, dare your grandmother! Where is my
Charles? What are they doing to him?
EDSTASTON [shouting]. Claire, loosen these straps, in Heaven's
name. Quick.
CLAIRE [seeing him and throwing herself on her knees at his
side]. Oh, how dare they tie you up like that! [To Catherine.]
You wicked wretch! You Russian savage! [She pounces on the
straps, and begins unbuckling them.]
CATHERINE [conquering herself with a mighty effort]. Now self-
control. Self-control, Catherine. Philosophy. Europe is looking
on. [She forces herself to sit down.
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