The Rise of Catherine the Great Page #5

to be my aide-de-camp this month?

- My turn.

- Oh, now, no, no.

Not you, Narishkin. You are far too busy

with your military pursuits.

- Pursuits, Your Highness?

- Yes.

The pursuit of the girl

in the fiower shop, for instance.

Teaching her the use of arms,

I suppose...

and practicing falling in.

Oh, Peter!

What a charming surprise.

- Won't you join us?

- I want to talk to you.

Very well.

I shall be free about 4:00.

You're coming now.

Right.

When I've said good-bye

to my guests.

Good-bye, gentlemen.

I'm sorry to leave you.

Good-bye, Kossinsky.

Good-bye, gentlemen.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, Narishkin.

Oh, Borodin! You are taking me to

the opera tonight. Please don't forget.

Good-bye, gentlemen.

- You are hurting me!

- Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

- Why?

- Your behavior. It's a scandal!

I don't know

what you are talking about.

- About your lovers.

- Oh, my lovers!

Yes, your lovers. You must have had

half a dozen in one regiment.

- Half a dozen?

- Well, I dare say a dozen.

Oh, to be exact, 17.

- Seventeen?

- Yes.

What's this?

You gave this woman a regiment.

Do you know what she does with it?

She's just fiung it in my face

that she's had 1 7 lovers in two years!

- Seventy?

- No, 17.

But I don't know what it's all about.

Haven't I complied with his wishes?

Haven't I lived for two years

apart from him...

quietly, discreetly?

I don't know why he makes

such a terrible fuss now.

There's a limit to shamelessness,

even at this court!

I demand that you send her back

where she came from.

- You demand?

- Well, if you don't, I'll take the law

into my own hands.

That will do, Peter.

Wait here for my decision.

Catherine.

How many did you say?

Seventeen.

Seventeen.

Are you sure? Not 18 or 19?

No. Seventeen.

Who was the first?

I can't remember now.

But you remember the last.

Yes. Narishkin.

No. I mean Alexei Borodin.

Come here.

Sit down.

Tell a man

as many lies as you like...

but never try to lie to a woman

in matters of love.

You haven't had one lover yet,

Miss Catherine.

But you've got nothing to be ashamed of.

The method was right.

Every beast of a man

begins to want you...

when he thinks you belong to

some other beast of a man.

But you've overdone it. It isn't easy

for any man to overlook 1 7 lovers.

Well, my devourer oflovers.

And all that because you're still in love

with that crazy husband of yours.

But why?

- Maybe you'll succeed.

- I shall.

Didn't you see how furious he was?

He's jealous.

That's good.

But it's not enough.

You can't live with

17 imaginary lovers.

What you need is one real one.

We'll soon settle this. Come.

Peter.

- You want to divorce your wife?

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