So Runs the World Part 27

George.--Drahomir?

Doctor.--Yes. He wishes to talk with her. They will be here in a quarter of an hour.

George.--Jozwowicz, I am choking with wrath and pain. Drahomir avoids me.

Doctor.--But you do not suspect him.

George.--I swear to you that I have defended myself from suspicions as a man dying on the steppe defends himself from the crows--that I have bitten my hands with pain and despair--that I still defend myself.

But I cannot any more. I cannot. The evidence pounds on my brain. He avoids me. He tells me that I have become an idiot--that I have become a madman, because--

Doctor.--Keep your temper. Even if he were in love with the princess, n.o.body rules his own heart.

George.--Enough! You were right when you coupled his name with hers.

At that moment I repulsed the thought, but it was there just the same (he strikes his breast). The fruit is ripened. Oh, what a ridiculous and dreadful part I am playing here--

Doctor.--But he saved your life.

George.--In order to take it when it began to have a certain value.

His service is paid with torture, with a slain happiness, with a broken hope, with destroyed faith in myself, in him and in her.

Doctor.--Be easy.

George.--I loved that man. Tell me that I am a madman and I shall be calmed. How dreadful to think that it is he! Forgive me everything I said to you before and help me. Evil thoughts are rus.h.i.+ng through my head.

Doctor.--Be calm--you are mistaken.

George.--Prove to me that I am mistaken and I will kneel before you.

Doctor.--You are mistaken, because Drahomir is going away.

George.--He is going away. (A moment of silence.) Oh, Lord! Then I can live without such tortures, I may hope!

Doctor (coolly and slowly).--But he is not going away forever. He said he would return.

George.--You put me on the cross again.

Doctor.--Come to your senses and do not let yourself be carried away by madness. At any rate you gain time. You can win her heart back again.

George.--No--it is done. I am sinking into a precipice.

Doctor.--Everything will be straightened out by his absence.

George (with an outburst).--But did you not tell me that he will return?

Doctor.--Listen: I agree with you that you have repaid Drahomir for the services of saving your life with your tortures. Drahomir has betrayed you and has broken the friends.h.i.+p between you by winning her heart. But I do not think that he is going away in order to avoid your vengeance.

George.--And to give her time to break her engagement! Yes, yes! I am cursed. I suspect him now of everything. He avoids me.

Doctor.--Mr. Pretwic.

George.--Enough. I am going to ask him when he will be back. He has saved my life once, and slain me ten times. (He tries to leave.)

Doctor.--Where are you going?

George.--To ask him how long he is going away.

Doctor.--Wait a moment. How could you ask him such a question? Perhaps he is innocent, but pride will shut his mouth and everything will be lost. Stay here--you can leave only over my corpse. I am not afraid of you!--do you understand? In a moment they will be here. You wish for proofs--you shall have them. From the piazza you cannot hear them, but you can see them. You shall be persuaded with your own eyes--perhaps you will regret your impetuosity.

George (after a while).--Very well, then. May G.o.d grant that I was mistaken! Thank you--but you must not leave me now.

Doctor.--One word more. No matter what happens I shall consider you a villain if you place her life in peril by any outburst.

George.--Granted. Where shall we go?

Doctor.--On the piazza. But you have fever--you are already shaking.

George.--I am out of breath. Some one is coming. Let us be going.

SCENE VIII.

Drahomir. Then Stella.

Drahomir.--The last evening and the last time. (After a while.) O Lord, thy will be done!

Stella (enters).--The Doctor told me that you wished to see me.

Drahomir.--Yes, madam. Pray forgive my boldness. A very important affair calls me home. I come to bid you good-bye.

Stella.--You are going away?

Drahomir.--To day I am going to Swietlenice, to-morrow still further.

(A moment of silence.)

Stella.--Yes, it is necessary.

Drahomir.--Life has flown like a dream--it is time to wake up.

Stella.--Shall we see each other again?

Drahomir.--If G.o.d permits it.

Stella.--Then let us shake hands in farewell. I can a.s.sure you that you have a friend in me. Friends.h.i.+p is like an immortal--it is a pale flower, but does not wither. May G.o.d guide you and protect you. The heart--of a sister--will follow you everywhere. Remember--

Drahomir.--Farewell.

Stella.--Farewell. (She goes toward the door. Then suddenly turns.