CLAIRE [sustained by an invincible snobbery]. They dare not touch an English officer. I will go to the Empress myself: she cannot know who Captain Edstaston is—who we are.
THE SERGEANT. Do so in the name of the Holy Nicholas, little beauty.
CLAIRE. Don't be impertinent. How can I get admission to the palace?
THE SERGEANT. Everybody goes in and out of the palace, little love.
CLAIRE. But I must get into the Empress's presence. I must speak to her.
THE SERGEANT. You shall, dear Little Mother. You shall give the poor old Sergeant a rouble; and the blessed Nicholas will make your salvation his charge.
CLAIRE [impetuously]. I will give you [she is about to say fifty roubles, but checks herself cautiously]— Well: I don't mind giving you two roubles if I can speak to the Empress.
THE SERGEANT [joyfully]. I praise Heaven for you, Little Mother. Come. [He leads the way out.] It was the temptation of the devil that led your young man to bruise my vitals and deprive me of breath. We must be merciful to one another's faults.
