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 rushing 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 friendship 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. Friendship 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.