and you
cannot afford a single automobile. A millionaire son-in-law is just vat
you owe me.

BARON
What I owe you?

BARONESS
Yes, ven I married you, I vas tinking you had a good position. I did not
know you were too honest to use it. You vere not open viz me, Alexis.

BARON
You knew I was a Revendal. The Revendals keep their hands clean....
[_With a sudden start he tiptoes noiselessly to the door leading
to the hall and throws it open. Nobody is visible. He closes it
shamefacedly._]

BARONESS [_Has shared his nervousness till the door was opened, but now
bursts into mocking laughter_]
If you thought less about your precious safety, and more about me and
Vera----

BARON
Hush! You do not know Vera. You saw I was even afraid to give my name.
She might have sent me away as she sent away the Tsar's plate of
mutton.

BARONESS
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 he