The Scarlet Empress (1934)

Nadine Beresford: Sophia's Aunt

Quotes 

• Sophia's Aunt : Grand duchess of Russia. Not bad for this family.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I wonder what he looks like.

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : That unimportant detail can be settled when the Russian ambassador gets here.

• Grand Duke Peter : I've had enough of this sanctimonious talk. Let us drink. Why doesn't he take up his collections in church? To the most charming woman in my empire, my friend, the countess Elizabeth.

  [the party stands. Catherine remains seated and sets aside her drinking glass] 

  Grand Duke Peter : Go ask Her Majesty, my wife, why she doesn't join our toast.

  Adjutant : His Majesty, the emperor of Russia, wishes me to ask why Her Majesty refuses to join the toast.

  Sophia's Aunt : Tell His Majesty that my thirst is not as great as his tonight.

  Adjutant : Her Majesty wishes me to convey to His Majesty that her thirst is not as great as his tonight.

  Grand Duke Peter : Go tell my wife she's a fool.

  Adjutant : His Majesty, the emperor of Russia, wishes me to inform Her Majesty that she is a fool.

  [Beneath the table, Catherine ties her napkin into a knot. She and Capt. Orloff rise from the table, and she takes his arm] 

  Grand Duke Peter : What is your rank, Orloff?

  Capt. Gregori Orloff : Captain, Your Majesty?

  Grand Duke Peter : Well, you're nothing now.

  [He strips decorations from Orloff's uniform and takes his sword] 

  Grand Duke Peter : Now get out, both of you, and stay out!

  [Catherine and Orloff depart] 

  Grand Duke Peter : Sit down. My wife is not to leave the palace. She's under arrest until further orders. Am I the emperor of Russia, or am I not? We'll issue a proclamation that she died...

  [He examines a knife] 

  Grand Duke Peter : and ask the people to pray for her.

  [He stabs an apple on the word "pray"]