So Runs the World

Anton. – No, Jozwowicz, you have always done as you wanted with me, but now you cannot do it. As long as there was a question of convictions I was with you, but you have attacked some principles which are bigger than either you or I, more stable and immutable. You cannot explain this to me, and you yourself must be careful. At the slightest opportunity you will fall down with all your energy as a man. The force you are attacking is more powerful than you are. Be careful, because you will lose. One cannot change a principle: straight honesty is the same always. Do what you please, but be careful. Do you know that human blood must always be avenged? It is only a law of nature. You ask me whether I am going to leave you? Perhaps you would like to be given the right to fire on the people from behind a fence when it will suit you. No, sir. From to-day there must be kept between us a strict account. You will be a member of parliament, but if you think we are going to serve you, and not you us, you are greatly mistaken. You thought that the steps of the ladder on which you will ascend are composed of rascals? Hold on! We, who have elected you – we, in whose probity you do not believe – we will watch you and judge you. If you are guilty we will crush you. We have elected you; now you must serve.

Doctor (passionately). – Anton!

Anton. – Quiet. In the evening you must appear before the electors.

Good-bye, Mr. Jozwowicz. (He goes out.)

Doctor (alone). – He is the first.

SCENE VI

Jozwowicz. Jan Miliszewski.

Jan (appears in the half-open door). – Pst!

Doctor. – Who is there?

Jan. – It is I, Miliszewski. Are you alone?

Doctor. – You may enter. What then?

Jan. – Everything is over. He did not live five minutes. I have ordered them to carry the body to Miliszewo.

Doctor. – Your mother is not here?

Jan. – I sent her to the city. To-day is election day and mamma does not know that I have withdrawn, therefore she will wait for the evening papers in the hope that she will find my name among those elected.

Doctor. – Did no one see?

Jan. – I am afraid they will see the blood. He bled dreadfully.

Doctor. – A strange thing. He was such a good marksman.

Jan. – He permitted himself to be killed. I saw that very plainly. He did not fire at Drahomir at all. He did not wish to kill Drahomir. Six steps – it was too near. It was dreadful to look at his death. Truly, I would have preferred to be killed myself. They had to fire on command – one! two! three! We heard the shot, but only one. We rushed – Pretwic advanced two steps, knelt and tried to speak. The blood flowed from his mouth. Then he took up the pistol and fired to one side. We were around him and he said to Drahomir: "You have done me a favor and I thank you. This life belonged to you, because you saved it. Forgive me," he said, "brother!" Then he said: "Give me your hand" and expired. (He wipes his forehead with a handkerchief.) Drahomir threw himself on his breast – it was dreadful. Poor Princess Stella. What will become of her now?

Doctor. – For God's sake, not a word in her presence. She is ill.

Jan. – I will be silent.

Doctor. – You must control your emotion.

Jan. – I cannot. My knees are trembling.

SCENE VII

The same. The prince leaning on Stella's shoulder, and Mrs. Czeska.

Prince. – I thought Pretwic was with you. Jozwowicz, where is Pretwic?

Doctor. – I do not know.

Stella. – Did he tell you where he was going?

Doctor. – I know nothing about it.

Czeska (to Jan). – Count, what is the matter with you? You are so pale.

Jan. – Nothing. It is on account of the heat.

Prince. – Jozwowicz, Pretwic told me —

SCENE VIII

(The door opens suddenly. Countess Miliszewska rushes in).

Countess. – Jan, where is my Jan? O God, what is the matter? How dreadful!

Doctor (rushing toward her). – Be silent, madam.

Stella. – What has happened?

Countess. – Then you have not killed Pretwic? You have not fought?

Doctor. – Madam, be silent.

Stella. – Who is killed?

Countess. – Stella, my dearest, Drahomir has killed Pretwic.

Stella. – Killed! O God!

Doctor. – Princess, it is not true.

Stella. – Killed! (She staggers and falls.)

Doctor. – She has fainted. Let us carry her to her chamber.

Prince. – My child!

Czeska. – Stelunia! (The prince and Jozwowicz carry Stella. The countess and Czeska follow them.)

Jan (alone). – It is dreadful. Who could have expected that mamma would return! (The countess appears in the door.) Mamma, how is the princess?

Countess. – The doctor is trying to bring her to her senses. Until now he has not succeeded. Jan, let us be going.

Jan (in despair). – I shall not go. Why did you return from the city?

Countess. – For you. To-day is election day – have you forgotten it?