teaching me anything, you're mistaken. It may be a satisfaction
to you; but if it is, all I can say is that it's not an amiable
satisfaction.

CATHERINE [turning suddenly and balefully on Naryshkin]. What are
you grinning at?

NARYSHKIN [falling on his knees in terror]. Be merciful, Little
Mother. My heart is in my mouth.

CATHERINE. Your heart and your mouth will be in two separate
parts of your body if you again forget in whose presence you
stand. Go. And take your men with you. [Naryshkin crawls to the
door. The soldiers rise.] Stop. Roll that [indicating Edstaston]
nearer. [The soldiers obey.] Not so close. Did I ask you for a
footstool? [She pushes Edstaston away with her foot.]

EDSTASTON [with a sudden squeal]. Agh!!! I must really ask your
Majesty not to put the point of your Imperial toe between my
ribs. I am ticklesome.

CATHERINE. Indeed? All the more reason for you to treat me with
respect, Captain. [To the others.] Begone. How many times must I
give an order before it is obeyed?

NARYSHKIN. Little Mother: they have brought some instruments of
torture. Will they be needed?

CATHERINE [indignantly]. How dare you name such abominations to a
Liberal Empress? You will always be a savage and a fool,