So Runs the World Part 23

Drahomir.--Why did you tell her about it?

Doctor.--I was wrong. Therefore George--

Drahomir.--Will be happy with her.

Doctor.--Any one would be happy with her, and to every one one might give the advice to search for some one like her. Yes, count, search for some one like her (he goes out).

Drahomir (alone).--Search for some one like her--and if there is some one like, her--too late (he sits down and covers his face with his hand).

SCENE X.

Stella. Drahomir.

Stella (seeing Drahomir, looks at him for a while).--What is the matter with you?

Drahomir.--You here? (A moment of silence.)

Stella (confused).--I am searching for papa. Excuse me, sir, I must go.

Drahomir (softly)--Go, madam. (She goes out. At the door she stops, hesitates for a while and then disappears.) I must get away from here as soon as possible.

SCENE XI.

Drahomir. Prince. Finally Jozwowicz.

Prince (rus.h.i.+ng in).--She has tormented me until now. Good gracious!

Ah, it is you, Drahomir.

Drahomir.--Yes, prince. Who tormented you?

Prince.--The Countess Miliszewski. My dear boy, how can he be a member of parliament when he is so densely stupid!

Drahomir.--It is true.

Prince.--Don't you see! And then she proposed to marry him to Stella.

The idea! She is already betrothed. But of course they did not know.

Drahomir.--How did you get rid of her?

Prince.--The doctor helped me out. Jozwowicz is a smart man--he has more intelligence than all of us together.

Drahomir.--It is true.

Prince.--But you, Drahomir, you are smart also, are you not?

Drahomir.--How can I either affirm or deny? But Jozwowicz is very intelligent, that much is certain.

Prince.--Yes. I do not like him, and I am afraid of him and I am fond of him, but I tell you I could not live without him.

Drahomir.--He is an honest man, too.

Prince.--Honest? Very well, then, but you are better because you are not a democrat. Drahomir, I love you. Stella, I love him--Ah! She is not here.

Drahomir.--Thank you, prince.

Prince.--If I had another daughter, I would--well--

Drahomir.--Prince, pray do not speak that way. (Aside) I must run away.

Prince.--Come, have a cigar with me. We will call the others and have a talk. Jozwowicz! Pretwic!

Doctor (entering).--What are your orders, Your Highness?

Prince.--You, Robespierre, come and have a cigar. Thank you, my boy.

You have rid me of the countess.

Doctor.--I will send for Pretwic, and we will join you. (He rings the bell. A servant comes in--the prince and Drahomir go out.) Ask Mr.

Pretwic to come here. (The servant goes out.)

Doctor (alone).--Anton was right. I am helping along the logic. But I do not like the sap--because I am accustomed to break. (Pretwic enters.)

SCENE XII.

Pretwic. Jozwowicz.

George.--I was looking for you.

Doctor.--The prince has invited us to smoke a cigar with him.

George.--Wait a moment. For G.o.d's sake tell me what it means. Stella changes while looking at her--there is something heavy in the air.

What does it mean?

Doctor.--That melancholy is the mode now.

George.--You are joking with me.

Doctor.--I know nothing.

George.--Excuse me. The blood rushes to my head. I see some catastrophe hanging over me. I thought you would say something to pacify me. I thought you were my friend.

Doctor.--Do you doubt it?