[For his ear alone.] I could have brought
you more; but you did not think so. Farewell.
EDSTASTON [kissing her hand, which, instead of releasing, he
holds caressingly and rather patronizingly in his own]. I feel
your Majesty's kindness so much that I really cannot leave you
without a word of plain wholesome English advice.
CATHERINE snatching her hand away and bounding forward as if he
had touched her with a spur]. Advice!!!
PATIOMKIN. Madman: take care!
NARYSHKIN. Advise the Empress!!
THE SERGEANT. Sainted Nicholas!
VARINKA. Hoo hoo! [a stifled splutter of laughter].
EDSTASTON [following the Empress and resuming kindly but
judicially]. After all, though your Majesty is of course a great
queen, yet when all is said, I am a man; and your Majesty is only
a woman.
CATHERINE. Only a wo-- [she chokes].
EDSTASTON [continuing]. Believe me, this Russian extravagance
will not do. I appreciate as much as any man the warmth of heart
that prompts it; but it is overdone: it is hardly in the best
taste: it is really I must say it--it is not proper.
CATHERINE [ironically, in German]. So!
EDSTASTON. Not that I cannot make allowances. Your Majesty has, I
know, been unfortunate in your experience as a married woman--
CATHERINE [furious].
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