have a statue, damn him! [she tickles him]. No! bless him! save him victorious, happy and glorious! Oh, let eternal honors crown his name: Voltaire thrice worthy on the rolls of fame! [Exhausted.] Now will you let me up? And look here! I can see your ankles when you tickle me: it's not ladylike.
CATHERINE [sticking out her toe and admiring it critically]. Is the spectacle so disagreeable?
EDSTASTON. It's agreeable enough; only [with intense expression] for heaven's sake don't touch me in the ribs.
CATHERINE [putting aside the pamphlet]. Captain Edstaston, why did you refuse to come when I sent for you?
EDSTASTON. Madam, I cannot talk tied up like this.
CATHERINE. Do you still admire me as much as you did this morning?
EDSTASTON. How can I possibly tell when I can't see you? Let me get up and look. I can't see anything now except my toes and yours.
CATHERINE. Do you still intend to write to the London Gazette about me?
EDSTASTON. Not if you will loosen these straps. Quick: loosen me. I'm fainting.
CATHERINE. I don't think you are [tickling him].
EDSTASTON. Agh! Cat!
CATHERINE. What [she tickles him again].
EDSTASTON [with a shriek]. No: angel, angel!
CATHERINE [tenderly]. Geliebter!
EDSTASTON. I don't know a word of German; but that sounded kind. [Becoming hysterical.] Little Mother, beautiful little darling angel mother: don't be cruel: untie me. Oh, I beg and implore you. Don't be unkind. I shall go mad.
CATHERINE. You are expected to go mad with love when an Empress deigns to interest herself in you.
