don't know why I should. But my instructions are that I am to see
the Empress; and--

PATIOMKIN. Darling, you shall see the Empress. A glorious woman,
the greatest woman in the world. But lemme give you piece 'vice--
pah! still drunk. They water my vinegar. [He shakes himself;
clears his throat; and resumes soberly.] If Catherine takes a
fancy to you, you may ask for roubles, diamonds, palaces, titles,
orders, anything! and you may aspire to everything:
field-marshal, admiral, minister, what you please--except Tsar.

EDSTASTON. I tell you I don't want to ask for anything. Do you
suppose I am an adventurer and a beggar?

PATIOMKIN [plaintively]. Why not, darling? I was an adventurer. I
was a beggar.

EDSTASTON. Oh, you!

PATIOMKIN. Well: what's wrong with me?

EDSTASTON. You are a Russian. That's different.

PATIOMKIN [effusively]. Darling, I am a man; and you are a man;
and Catherine is a woman. Woman reduces us all to the common
denominator. [Chuckling.] Again an epigram! [Gravely.] You
understand it, I hope. Have you had a college education, darling?
I have.

EDSTASTON. Certainly. I am a Bachelor of Arts.