Page:Heartbreak House, Great Catherine, and Playlets of the War.djvu/215



VARINKA. You don't admire her, then?

EDSTASTON. Well, I&mdash;naturally&mdash;of course, I can't deny that the uniform was very becoming&mdash;perhaps a little unfeminine&mdash;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&mdash;that er&mdash;[He stops again.]

CATHERINE. Noticing that er&mdash;? ''[He gazes at her, speechless, like a fascinated rabbit. She repeats fiercely.]'' That er&mdash;?

EDSTASTON [startled into speech]. Well, that your Majesty was&mdash; was&mdash;[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. 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