EDSTASTON. They tied me up, dear. I couldn't help it. I fought for all I was worth. THE SERGEANT [at the curtains]. He fought with the strength of lions and bears. God knows I shall carry a broken sweetbread to my grave. EDSTASTON. You can't mean to throw me over, Claire. [Urgently.] Claire. Claire. VARINKA [in a transport of sympathetic emotion, pleading with clasped hands to Claire]. Oh, sweet little angel lamb, he loves you: it shines in his darling eyes. Pardon him, pardon him. PATIOMKIN [rushing from the Empress's side to Claire and falling on his knees to her]. Pardon him, pardon him, little cherub! little wild duck! little star! little glory! little jewel in the crown of heaven! CLAIRE. This is perfectly ridiculous. VARINKA [kneeling to her]. Pardon him, pardon him, little delight, little sleeper in a rosy cradle. CLAIRE. I'll do anything if you'll only let me alone. THE SERGEANT [kneeling to her]. Pardon him, pardon him, lest the mighty man bring his whip to you. God knows we all need pardon! CLAIRE [at the top of her voice]. I pardon him! I pardon him! PATIOMKIN [springing up joyfully and going behind Claire, whom he raises in his arms]. Embrace her, victor of Bunker's Hill. Kiss her till she swoons. THE SERGEANT. Receive her in the name of the holy Nicholas. VARINKA. She begs you for a thousand dear little kisses all over her body. CLAIRE [vehemently]. I do not. [Patiomkin throws her into Edstaston's arms.] Oh! [The pair, awkward and shamefaced, recoil from one another, and remain utterly inexpressive.] CATHERINE [pushing Edstaston towards Claire]. There is no help for it, Captain. This is Russia, not England. EDSTASTON [plucking up some geniality, and kissing Claire ceremoniously on the brow]. I have no objection. VARINKA [disgusted]. Only one kiss! and on the forehead! Fish. See how I kiss, though it is only my horribly ugly old uncle [she throws her arms round Patiomkin's neck and covers his face with kisses]. THE SERGEANT [moved to tears]. Sainted Nicholas: bless your lambs! CATHERINE. Do you wonder now that I love Russia as I love no other place on earth? NARYSHKIN [appearing at the door]. Majesty: the model for the new museum has arrived. CATHERINE [rising eagerly and making for the curtains]. Let us go. I can think of nothing but my museum. [In the archway she stops and turns to Edstaston, who has hurried to lift the curtain for her.] Captain, I wish you every happiness that your little angel can bring you. [For his ear alone.] I could have brought you more; but you did not think so. Farewell. EDSTASTON [kissing her hand, which, instead of releasing, he holds caressingly and rather patronizingly in his own]. I feel your Majesty's kindness so much that I really cannot leave you without a word of plain wholesome English advice. CATHERINE [snatching her hand away and bounding forward as if he had touched her with a spur]. Advice!!! PATIOMKIN. Madman: take care! NARYSHKIN. Advise the Empress!!