Orl. Without doubt, your highness.
Soph. [Going, again turns to Adrian] The Count will give you his word that I am to be trusted.
Orl. To be sure, your highness.
Soph. Good-night. [Exit]
Orl. [After following Sophie's departure with a fatuous look] Come, lady-bird, we must be moving. [Starts out, the guards following with Vera. Vetrova, who has seemed quite stunned, suddenly rushes after them and beats guards with his crutch]
Orl. [Seizing him by the collar and throwing him to the floor] You old fool! We don't want to bother with you!
[Exeunt Orloff, guards and Vera. Vetrova, lying on floor, lifts his fist and curses]
Adr. [Bending over him] Petrusha!
Vet. Let me be, Adrian Lavrov! I have held my peace all my life to die cursing at last! I was dumb when they broke my bones under the rod. I was dumb when my son died under the lash. But Vera, my little girl—dragged to that—O God, send thy fires upon him! Curse him—curse him—curse——[Dies. The peasants cross themselves. Some kneel before the icon, praying. Catherine gazes at Vetrova in hopeless terror. Galovkine kneels and examines the body]
Galovkine. Dead.