The Tsar's plate of--?
BARON
Did I never tell you? When she was only a school-girl-at the Imperial High School-the Tsar on his annual visit tasted the food, and Vera, as the show pupil, was given the honour of finishing his Majesty's plate.
BARONESS [In incredulous horror]
And she sent it avay?
BARON
Gave it to a servant.
[Awed silence.] And then you think I can impose a husband on her. No, Katusha, I have to win her love for myself, not for millionaires.
BARONESS [Angry again]
Alvays so affrightfully selfish!
BARON
I have no control over her, I tell you!
[Bitterly] I never could control my womenkind.
BARONESS
Because you zink zey are your soldiers. Silence! Halt! Forbidden! Right Veel! March!
BARON [Sullenly]
I wish I did think they were my soldiers-I might try the lash.
BARONESS [Springing up angrily, shakes parasol at him]
You British barbarian!
VERA [Outside the door leading to the interior]
Yes, thank you, Miss Andrews. I know I have visitors.
BARON [Ecstatically]
Vera's voice!
[The BARONESS lowers her parasol. He looks yearningly toward the
door. It opens. Enter VERA with inquiring gaze.]
VERA [With a great shock of surprise]
Father!!
BARON
Verotschka! My dearest darling!...
[He makes a movement toward her, but is checked by her
irresponsiveness.] Why, you've grown more beautiful than ever.
VERA
You in New York!
BARON
The Baroness wished to see America. Katusha, this is my daughter.
BARONESS [In sugared sweetness]
And mine, too, if she vill let me love her.
VERA [Bowing coldly, but still addressing her father]
But how? When?
BARON
We have just come and--
BARONESS [Dashing in]
Zat charming young man lent us his yacht-he is adoràhble.
VERA
What charming young man?
BARONESS
Ah, she has many, ze little coquette-ha! ha! ha!
[She touches VERA playfully with her parasol.]
BARON
We wished to give you a pleasant surprise.
VERA
It is certainly a surprise.
BARON [Chilled]
You are not very ... daughterly.
VERA
Do you remember when you last saw me? You did not claim me as a daughter then.
BARON [Covers his eyes with his hand]
Do not recall it; it hurts too much.
VERA
I was in the dock.
BARON
It was horrible. I hated you for the devil of rebellion that had entered into your soul. But I thanked God when you escaped.
VERA [Softened]
I think I was more sorry for you than for myself. I hope, at least, no suspicion fell on you.
BARONESS [Eagerly]
But it did-an avalanche of suspicion. He is still buried under it. Vy else did they make Skovaloff Ambassador instead of him? Even now he risks everyting to see you again. Ah, mon enfant, you owe your fazer a grand reparation!
VERA
What reparation can I possibly make?
BARON [Passionately]
You can love me again, Vera.
BARONESS [Stamping foot]
Alexis, you are interrupting--
VERA
I fear, father, we have grown too estranged-our ideas are so opposite--
BARON
But not now, Vera, surely not now? You are no longer
[He lowers his voice and looks around] a Revolutionist?
VERA
Not with bombs, perhaps. I thank Heaven I was caught before I had done any practical work. But if you think I accept the order of things, you are mistaken. In Russia I fought against the autocracy--
BARON
Hush! Hush!
[He looks round nervously.]
VERA
Here I fight against the poverty. No, father, a woman who has once heard the call will always be a wild creature.
BARON
But
[Lowering his voice] those revolutionary Russian clubs here-you are not a member?
VERA
I do not believe in Revolutions carried on at a safe distance. I have found my life-work in America.
BARON
I am enchanted, Vera, enchanted.
BARONESS [Gushingly]
Permit me to kiss you, belle enfant.
VERA
I do not know you enough yet; I will kiss my father.
BARON [With a great cry of joy]
Vera!
[He embraces her passionately.] At last! At last! I have found my little Vera again!
VERA
No, father, your Vera belongs to Russia with her mother and the happy days of childhood. But for their sakes--
[She breaks down in emotion.]
BARON
Ah, your poor mother!
BARONESS [Tartly]
Alexis, I perceive I am too many!
[She begins to go toward the door.]
BARON
No, no, Katusha. Vera will learn to love you, too.
VERA [To BARONESS]
What does my loving you matter? I can never return to Russia.
BARONESS [Pausing]
But ve can come here-often-ven you are married.
VERA [Surprised]
When I am married?
[Softly, blushing] You know?
BARONESS [Smiling]
Ve know zat charming young man adores ze floor your foot treads on!
VERA [Blushing]
You have seen David?
BARON [Hoarsely]
David!
[He clenches his fist.]
BARONESS [Half aside, as much gestured as spoken]
Sh! Leave it to me.
[Sweetly.] Oh, no, ve have not seen David.
VERA [Looking from one to the other]
Not seen-? Then what-whom are you talking about?
BARONESS
About zat handsome, quite adoràhble Mr. Davenport.
VERA
Davenport!
BARONESS
Who combines ze manners of Europe viz ze millions of America!
VERA [Breaks into girlish laughter]
Ha! Ha! Ha! So Mr. Davenport has been talking to you! But you all seem to forget one small point-bigamy is not permitted even to millionaires.
BARONESS
Ah, not boz at vonce, but--
VERA
And do you think I would take another woman's leavings? No, not even if she were dead.
BARONESS
You are insulting!
VERA