So Runs the World

Stella. – Farewell. (She goes toward the door. Then suddenly turns. 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 (passionately). – Then I love you, my dearest, and that is the reason why I escape. (He presses her to his breast.)

Stella (awakening). – Oh, God! (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 friendship, my trampled happiness, lost faith in God 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 God 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 class. I have thought everything over quietly. God 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.

George. – Frankly speaking, as I do not know what will become of me, and whether in an hour I shall be alive or not, I came to have one more look at her. Because I love her dearly. Perhaps I was too rough for her – too stupid – but I loved her. May God punish me if I have not desired her happiness. As you see me here it is true that at this moment I pity her the most and feel miserable about her future. Listen: whether I am killed or not, she cannot be mine. Drahomir cannot marry her, because he could not marry the woman whose fiancé he has killed. Of the three of us you alone will remain near her. Take care of her – guard her. Into your hands I give her, the only treasure I ever possessed.

Doctor (quietly). – I shall carry out your wishes.

George. – And now – I may be killed. I wish to die like a Christian. If ever I have offended you, forgive me. (They shake hands. George goes out.)