EDSTASTON. Have you any back teeth?

NARYSHKIN [surprised]. Why?

EDSTASTON. His Majesty King George the Third will send for six of
them when the news of this reaches London; so look out, damn your
eyes!

NARYSHKIN [frightened]. Oh, I assure you I am only obeying my
orders. Personally I abhor torture, and would save you if I
could. But the Empress is proud; and what woman would forgive the
slight you put upon her?

EDSTASTON. As I said before: Damn your eyes!

NARYSHKIN [almost in tears]. Well, it isn't my fault. [To the
soldiers, insolently.] You know your orders? You remember what
you have to do when the Empress gives you the word? [The soldiers
salute in assent.]

Naryshkin passes through the curtains, admitting a blare of music
and a strip of the brilliant white candlelight from the
chandeliers in the ballroom as he does so. The white light
vanishes and the music is muffled as the curtains fall together
behind him. Presently the band stops abruptly: and Naryshkin
comes back through the curtains. He makes a warning gesture to
the soldiers, who stand at attention. Then he moves the curtain
to allow Catherine to enter. She is in full Imperial regalia, and
stops sternly just where she has entered. The soldiers fall on