CLAIRE [snorting]. So I see, indeed.
EDSTASTON. Don't be angry, dearest: in this country everybody's a
darling. I'll prove it to you. [To Catherine.] Will your Majesty
be good enough to call Prince Patiomkin?
CATHERINE [surprised into haughtiness]. Why?
EDSTASTON. To oblige me.
Catherine laughs good-humoredly and goes to the curtains and
opens them. The band strikes up a Redowa.
CATHERINE [calling imperiously]. Patiomkin! [The music stops
suddenly.] Here! To me! Go on with your music there, you fools.
[The Redowa is resumed.]
The sergeant rushes from the ballroom to relieve the Empress of
the curtain. Patiomkin comes in dancing with Yarinka.
CATHERINE [to Patiomkin]. The English captain wants you, little
darling.
Catherine resumes her seat as Patiomkin intimates by a grotesque
bow that he is at Edstaston's service. Yarinka passes behind
Edstaston and Claire, and posts herself on Claire's right.
EDSTASTON. Precisely. [To Claire. ] You observe, my love: "little
darling." Well, if her Majesty calls him a darling, is it my
fault that she calls me one too?
CLAIRE. I don't care: I don't think you ought to have done it. I
am very angry and offended.
EDSTASTON. They tied me up, dear.
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