The Fourth Scene

A triangular recess communicating by a heavily curtained arch
with the huge ballroom of the palace. The light is subdued by red
shades on the candles. In the wall adjoining that pierced by the
arch is a door. The only piece of furniture is a very handsome
chair on the arch side. In the ballroom they are dancing a
polonaise to the music of a brass band.

Naryshkin enters through the door, followed by the soldiers
carrying Edstaston, still trussed to the pole. Exhausted and
dogged, he makes no sound.

NARYSHKIN. Halt. Get that pole clear of the prisoner. [They dump
Edstaston on the floor and detach the pole. Naryshkin stoops over
him and addresses him insultingly. Well! are you ready to be
tortured? This is the Empress's private torture chamber. Can I do
anything to make you quite comfortable? You have only to mention
it.

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
their knees.

CATHERINE. Obey your orders.

The soldiers seize Edstaston, and throw him roughly at the feet
of the Empress.

CATHERINE [looking down coldly on him]. Also [the German word],
you have put me to the trouble of sending for you twice. You had
better have come the first time.

EDSTASTON [exsufflicate, and pettishly angry]. I haven't come
either time. I've been carried. I call it infernal impudence.

CATHERINE. Take care what you say.

EDSTASTON. No use. I daresay you look very majestic and very
handsome; but I can't see you; and I am not intimidated. I am an