VARINKA. A foreign captain: I cannot pronounce his name. I think
he is mad. He came to the Prince and said he must see your
Majesty. He can talk of nothing else. We could not prevent him.

EDSTASTON [overwhelmed by this apparent betrayal]. Oh! Madam: I
am perfectly sane: I am actually an Englishman. I should never
have dreamt of approaching your Majesty without the fullest
credentials. I have letters from the English ambassador, from the
Prussian ambassador. [Naively.] But everybody assured me that
Prince Patiomkm is all-powerful with your Majesty; so I naturally
applied to him.

PATIOMKIN [interrupts the conversation by an agonized wheezing
groan as of a donkey beginning to bray]!!!

CATHERINE [like a fishfag]. Schweig, du Hund. [Resuming her
impressive royal manner.] Have you never been taught, sir, how a
gentleman should enter the presence of a sovereign?

EDSTASTON. Yes, Madam; but I did not enter your presence: I was
carried.

CATHERINE. But you say you asked the Prince to carry you.

EDSTASTON. Certainly not, Madam. I protested against it with all
my might. I appeal to this lady to confirm me.

VARINKA [pretending to be indignant]. Yes, you protested. But,
all the same, you were very very very anxious to see her Imperial