So Runs the World Part 28

With a sob in her voice.) Why do you deceive me? You are going forever.

Drahomir.--Have mercy on me.

Stella.--Are you going away forever?

Drahomir.--Yes, then.

Stella.--I guessed it. But perhaps it is better--for both of us.

Drahomir.--Oh, yes. There are things which cannot be expressed, although the heart is bursting. A while ago you told me that you will remember--it will be better for you to forget.

Stella.--I cannot. (She weeps.)

Drahomir (pa.s.sionately).--Then I love you, my dearest, and that is the reason why I escape. (He presses her to his breast.)

Stella (awakening).--Oh, G.o.d! (She rushes, out.)

SCENE IX.

Drahomir. Jozwowicz. George.

(George stops with Jozwowicz near the door.)

Drahomir.--Ah, it is you, George.

George.--Do not approach me. I have seen all. You are a villain and a coward.

Drahomir--George!

George.--In order not to soil my hand, I throw in your face our broken friends.h.i.+p, my trampled happiness, lost faith in G.o.d and man, endless contempt for you and myself.

Drahomir.--Enough.

George.--Do not approach me, because I will lose my self-command and will sprinkle these walls with your brains. No, I shall not do that--because I have promised. But I slap your face, you villain. Do you hear me?

Drahomir (after struggling with himself for a moment).--Such an insult I swear before G.o.d and man I will wash out with blood.

George.--Yes, with blood (pointing to the doctor). Here is the witness of these words.

Doctor.--At your service, gentlemen.

END OF ACT IV.

ACT V.

The same drawing-room.

SCENE I.

Jozwowicz enters reading a dispatch.

The result of the ballotting until now: Jozwowicz, 613; Husarski, 604. At ten o'clock: Jozwowicz, 700; Husarski, 700. At 11 o'clock: Jozwowicz, 814; Husarski, 750. The fight is hot. The final results will be known at three o'clock. (He consults his watch.)

SCENE II.

Jozwowicz. George.

Doctor.--You are here?

George.--You are as afraid of me as of a ghost.

Doctor.--I thought you were elsewhere.

George.--I am going directly from here to fight. I have still an hour.

The duel will take place at Dombrowa, on the Miliszewski's estate--not far from here.

Doctor.--Too near from here.

George.--Miliszewski insisted. And then you will be here to prevent the news from being known until as late as possible.

Doctor.--Doctor Krzycki will be with you?

George.--Yes.

Doctor.--Ask him to send me the news at once. I would go with you, but I must be here.

George.--You are right. If I am killed?

Doctor.--You must not think of that.

George.--There are some people who are cursed from the moment they are born, and for whom death is the only redemption. I belong to that cla.s.s. I have thought everything over quietly. G.o.d knows that I am more afraid of life than of death. There is no issue for me. Suppose I am not killed--tell me what will become of me, if I kill the man whom she loves? Tell me! I will live without her, cursed by her. Do you know that when I think of my situation, and what has happened, I think some bad spirit has mixed with us and entangled everything so that only death can disentangle it.

Doctor.--A duel is very often ended by a mere wound.

George.--I insulted Drahomir gravely, and such an insult cannot be wiped out by a wound. Believe me, one of us must die. But I came to talk with you about something else.

Doctor.--I am listening to you.