The Third Scene

In a terrace garden overlooking the Neva. Claire, a robust young
English lady, is leaning on the river wall. She turns expectantly
on hearing the garden gate opened and closed. Edstaston hurries
in. With a cry of delight she throws her arms round his neck.

CLAIRE. Darling!

EDSTASTON [making a wry face]. Don't call me darling.

CLAIRE [amazed and chilled]. Why?

EDSTASTON. I have been called darling all the morning.

CLAIRE [with a flash of jealousy]. By whom?

EDSTASTON. By everybody. By the most unutterable swine. And if we
do not leave this abominable city now: do you hear? now; I shall
be called darling by the Empress.

CLAIRE [with magnificent snobbery]. She would not dare. Did you
tell her you were engaged to me?

EDSTASTON. Of course not.

CLAIRE. Why?

EDSTASTON. Because I didn't particularly want to have you
knouted, and to be hanged or sent to Siberia myself.

CLAIRE. What on earth do you mean?

EDSTASTON. Well, the long and short of it is--don't think me a
coxcomb, Claire: it is too serious to mince matters--I have seen
the Empress; and--

CLAIRE. Well, you wanted to see her.

EDSTASTON. Yes; but the Empress has seen me.

CLAIRE. She has fallen in love with you!

EDSTASTON. How did you know?

CLAIRE. Dearest: as if anyone could help it.

EDSTASTON. Oh, don't make me feel like a fool. But, though it
does sound conceited to say it, I flatter myself I'm better
looking than Patiomkin and the other hogs she is accustomed to.
Anyhow, I daren't risk staying.

CLAIRE. What a nuisance! Mamma will be furious at having to pack,
and at missing the Court ball this evening.

EDSTASTON. I can't help that. We haven't a moment to lose.

CLAIRE. May I tell her she will be knouted if we stay?

EDSTASTON. Do, dearest.

He kisses her and lets her go, expecting her to run into the
house.

CLAIRE [pausing thoughtfully]. Is she--is she good-looking when
you see her close?

EDSTASTON. Not a patch on you, dearest.

CLAIRE [jealous]. Then you did see her close?

EDSTASTON. Fairly close.

CLAIRE. Indeed! How close? No: that's silly of me: I will tell
mamma. [She is going out when Naryshkin enters with the Sergeant
and a squad of soldiers.] What do you want here?

The Sergeant goes to Edstaston: plumps down on his knees: and
takes out a magnificent pair of pistols with gold grips. He
proffers them to Edstaston, holding them by the barrels.

NARYSHKIN. Captain Edstaston: his Highness Prince Patiomkin sends
you the pistols he promised you.

THE SERGEANT. Take them, Little Father; and do not forget us poor
soldiers who have brought them