Majesty!
PAULA
[To PISO, gushingly] Oh, doctor, I am so glad to see you! I have been so worried!
PISO
[In his best manner] Be calm! This—[indicating POLORUS] is Dr. Polorus, my—[maliciously] assistant. Doctor, you are honoured by the notice of the Empress Paula.
PAULA
[Buttonholing PISO tragically] I surely hope you gentlemen can do something for the poor Emperor. You can't imagine what I have gone through. I think he's getting worse all the time. And those awful quacks he has had!
PISO
Yes, I have heard. It's common gossip.
PAULA