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 God 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 God permits it.

Stella.—­Then let us shake hands in farewell.  I can assure you that you have a friend in me.  Friendship is like an immortal—­it is a pale flower, but does not wither.  May God guide you and protect you.  The heart—­of a sister—­will follow you everywhere.  Remember—­