So Runs the World
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Stella. – Sometimes one may be mistaken about people.
Drahomir. – Do you speak about me or Miliszewski?
Stella. – Let us say it is about you. They told me that you were a mirror of all perfections.
Drahomir. – And have you discovered that I am the personification of all faults?
Stella. – I did not say so.
Drahomir. – But you think so. But I am not deceived. Your portrait drawn by Mr. Pretwic and the Doctor is exactly like you.
Stella. – How was the portrait?
Drahomir. – With wings at the shoulders.
Stella. – That means that I have as much dignity as a butterfly.
Drahomir. – Angels' wings are in harmony with their dignity.
Stella. – True friendship should speak the truth. Tell me some bitter one.
Drahomir. – Very bitter?
Stella. – As wormwood – or as is sometimes the case – with life.
Drahomir. – Then you are kind to me.
Stella. – For what sin shall I begin penitence?
Drahomir. – For lack of friendship for me.
Stella. – I was the first to appeal for friendship – in what respect am
I untrue to it?
Drahomir. – Because you share with me your joys, sports, laughter, but when a moment of sorrow comes, you keep those thorns for yourself. Pray share with me your troubles also.
Stella. – It is not egotism on my part. I do not wish to disturb your serenity.
Drahomir. – The source of my serenity does not lie in egotism either. George told me of you when I came here: "I know only how to look at her and how to pray to her; you are younger and more mirthful, try to amuse her." Therefore I brought all my good spirits and laid them at your feet. But I notice that I have bored you. I see a cloud on your face – I suspect some hidden sorrow, and being your best friend, I am ready to give my life to dispel that cloud.
Stella (softly). – You must not talk that way.
Drahomir (clasping his hands). – Let me talk. I was a giddy boy, but I always followed my heart, and my heart guessed your sorrow. Since that moment a shadow fell across my joy, but I overcame it. One cannot recall a tear which has rolled down the cheek, but a friendly hand can dry it. Therefore I overcame that cloud in order that the tears should not come to your eyes. If I have been mistaken, if I have chosen the wrong path, pray forgive me. Your life will be as beautiful as a bouquet of flowers, therefore be mirthful – be mirthful.
Stella (with emotion, giving him her hand). – I shall be; being near you, I am capricious, spoiled, and a little bit ill. Sometimes I do not know myself what is the matter with me, and what I wish. I am happy; truly I am happy.
Drahomir. – Then, no matter, as Mrs. Czeska says. Let us be merry, laugh, and run in the garden and play pranks with the countess and her son.
Stella. – I have discovered the source of your mirth; it is a good heart.
Drahomir. – No, madam. I am a great good-for-nothing. But the source of true happiness is not in this.
Stella. – Sometimes I think that there is none in this world.
Drahomir. – We cannot grasp it with our common sense, and will not fly after that winged vision. Sometimes perhaps it flies near us, but before we discover it, before we stretch out our hands, it is too late!
Stella. – What sad words – too late!
SCENE VIIIThe same. Jozwowicz.
Doctor (entering, laughs). – Ha! ha! Do you know what has happened?
Stella. – Is it something amusing?
Doctor. – A dreadful, tragic, but before a ridiculous thing.
Miliszewski wished to challenge Pretwic.
Stella. – For Heaven's sake!
Doctor. – You must laugh with me. If there were anything dreadful I would not frighten you, princess.
Drahomir. – And what has been the end of it?
Doctor. – I was angry with Mr. Pretwic for taking the matter so seriously.
Drahomir. – How could he help it?
Doctor. – But it would be shameful for a man like Mr. Pretwic to fight with such a poor thing.
Stella. – The doctor is right. I do not understand Mr. Pretwic.
Doctor. – Our princess must not be irritated. I have made peace between them. Mr. Pretwic did not grasp the real situation and his naturally sanguine disposition carried him away. But now that I have explained to him, he agrees that it would be too utterly ridiculous.
Drahomir. – And what about Miliszewski?
Doctor. – I have sent him to his mamma. He is a good boy.
Stella. – I shall scold Mr. Pretwic, nevertheless.
Drahomir. – But you must not be too severe.
Stella. – You are laughing, gentlemen. I am sorry that it was necessary to explain the matter to Mr. Pretwic. I must scold him immediately (she goes out).
SCENE IXDrahomir. Doctor.
Drahomir. – The princess is a true angel.
Doctor. – Yes, there is not a spot in the crystalline purity of her nature.
Drahomir. – It must be true when even you, a sceptic, speak of her with such enthusiasm.
Doctor. – I have been here six years. When I came she wore short dresses. She grew by my side. Six years have their strength – it was impossible not to become attached to her.
Drahomir. – I believe you. (After a while of silence) Strange, however, that you self-made people have no hearts.
Doctor. – Why?
Drahomir. – Because – I know what you would say about her social position, but hearts are equal, so it does not matter. Then how did it happen that you, being so near the princess, did not —
Doctor (interrupting). – What?
Drahomir. – I cannot find an expression.
Doctor. – But I have found it. You are asking me why I did not fall in love with her?
Drahomir. – I hesitated to pronounce the too bold word.
Doctor. – Truly, if you, count, are lacking in boldness, I am going to help you out, and I ask you: And you, sir?
Drahomir. – Doctor, be careful.
Doctor. – I hear some lyrical tone.
Drahomir. – Let us finish this conversation.
Doctor. – As you say, although I can speak quietly, and in order to change the conversation, I prefer to ask you: Do you think she will be happy with Mr. Pretwic?
Drahomir. – What a question! George loves her dearly.
Doctor. – I do not doubt it, but their natures are so different. Her thoughts and sentiments are as delicate as cobweb – and George? Have you noticed how hurt she was that he accepted the challenge?
Drahomir. – Why did you tell her about it?
Doctor. – I was wrong. Therefore George —
Drahomir. – Will be happy with her.
Doctor. – Any one would be happy with her, and to every one one might give the advice to search for some one like her. Yes, count, search for some one like her (he goes out).
Drahomir (alone). – Search for some one like her – and if there is some one like, her – too late (he sits down and covers his face with his hand).
SCENE XStella. Drahomir.
Stella (seeing Drahomir, looks at him for a while). – What is the matter with you?
Drahomir. – You here? (A moment of silence.)
Stella (confused). – I am searching for papa. Excuse me, sir, I must go.
Drahomir (softly) – Go, madam. (She goes out. At the door she stops, hesitates for a while and then disappears.) I must get away from here as soon as possible.
SCENE XIDrahomir. Prince. Finally Jozwowicz.
Prince (rushing in). – She has tormented me until now. Good gracious!
Ah, it is you, Drahomir.
Drahomir. – Yes, prince. Who tormented you?
Prince. – The Countess Miliszewski. My dear boy, how can he be a member of parliament when he is so densely stupid!
Drahomir. – It is true.
Prince. – Don't you see! And then she proposed to marry him to Stella.
The idea! She is already betrothed. But of course they did not know.
Drahomir. – How did you get rid of her?
Prince. – The doctor helped me out. Jozwowicz is a smart man – he has more intelligence than all of us together.
Drahomir. – It is true.
Prince. – But you, Drahomir, you are smart also, are you not?
Drahomir. – How can I either affirm or deny? But Jozwowicz is very intelligent, that much is certain.
Prince. – Yes. I do not like him, and I am afraid of him and I am fond of him, but I tell you I could not live without him.
Drahomir. – He is an honest man, too.
Prince. – Honest? Very well, then, but you are better because you are not a democrat. Drahomir, I love you. Stella, I love him – Ah! She is not here.
Drahomir. – Thank you, prince.
Prince. – If I had another daughter, I would – well —
Drahomir. – Prince, pray do not speak that way. (Aside) I must run away.
Prince. – Come, have a cigar with me. We will call the others and have a talk. Jozwowicz! Pretwic!
Doctor (entering). – What are your orders, Your Highness?
Prince. – You, Robespièrre, come and have a cigar. Thank you, my boy.
You have rid me of the countess.
Doctor. – I will send for Pretwic, and we will join you. (He rings the bell. A servant comes in – the prince and Drahomir go out.) Ask Mr. Pretwic to come here. (The servant goes out.)
Doctor (alone). – Anton was right. I am helping along the logic. But I do not like the sap – because I am accustomed to break. (Pretwic enters.)
SCENE XIIPretwic. Jozwowicz.
George. – I was looking for you.
Doctor. – The prince has invited us to smoke a cigar with him.
George. – Wait a moment. For God's sake tell me what it means. Stella changes while looking at her – there is something heavy in the air. What does it mean?
Doctor. – That melancholy is the mode now.
George. – You are joking with me.
Doctor. – I know nothing.
George. – Excuse me. The blood rushes to my head. I see some catastrophe hanging over me. I thought you would say something to pacify me. I thought you were my friend.
Doctor. – Do you doubt it?
George. – Shake hands first. Then give me some advice.
Doctor. – Advice? Are you ill?
George (with an effort). – Truly, you play with me as a cat with a mouse.
Doctor. – Because I know nothing of presentiments.
George. – Did you not tell me that she is not ill?
Doctor. – No, she is wearied.
George. – You speak about it in a strange way and you have no conception of the pain that your words cause me.
Doctor. – Then try to distract her.
George. – What? Who?
Doctor. – Who? Count Drahomir, for instance.
George. – Is she fond of him?
Doctor. – And he of her also. Such poetical souls are always fond of each other.
George. – What do you mean by that?
Doctor (sharply). – And you – how do you take my words?
George (rises.) – Not another word. You understand me, and you must know that I do not always forgive.
Doctor (rises also, approaches George and looks into his eyes). – I believe you wish to frighten me. Besides this, what more do you wish?
George (after a moment of struggle with himself). – You must ask me what I did wish, because I do not now wish for anything. You have known her longer than I have, therefore I came to you as her friend and mine, and for answer you banter with me. In your eyes there shone hatred for me, although I have never wronged, you. Be the judge yourself! I would be more than right in asking you: What do you wish of me, if it were not for the reason (with pride) that it is immaterial to me. (He goes out.)
Doctor. – We shall see.
SCENE XIIIJozwowicz. Servant.
Servant. – A messenger brought this letter from Mr. Anton Zuk.
Doctor. – Give it to me. (The servant goes out. Doctor looks at the door through which George went out.) Oh, I can no longer control my hatred. I will crush you into dust; and now I shall not hesitate any longer. (Opens letter feverishly) Damnation, I must be going there at once.
SCENE XIVJozwowicz. Mrs. Czeska.
Czeska (enters swiftly). – Doctor, I am looking for you.
Doctor. – What has happened?
Czeska. – Stella is ill. I found her weeping.
Doctor (aside.) – Poor child! (Aloud) I will go to see her at once.
(They go out.)
END OF ACT III* * * * *ACT IV
The same Drawing Room.
SCENE IJozwowicz. Drahomir.
(Jozwowicz sits at table writing in notebook. Drahomir enters.)
Drahomir. – Doctor, I came to bid you farewell.
Doctor (rising suddenly). – Ah, you are going away?
Drahomir. – Yes.
Doctor. – So suddenly? For long?
Drahomir. – I am returning to-day to Swietlenice, to George; to-morrow
I leave for Paris.
Doctor. – One word – have you said anything to any one of your plans?
Drahomir. – Not yet. I only made up my mind an hour ago.
Doctor. – Then Mr. Pretwic knows nothing about it as yet?
Drahomir. – No; but why do you ask?
Doctor (aside). – I must act now – otherwise everything is lost. (Aloud) Count, I have not much time to speak to you now, because in a moment I expect Anton in regard to a matter on which my whole future depends. Listen to me. I beseech you, for the sake of the peace and health of the princess, not to mention to any one that you are going away. Neither to the Prince nor to Mr. Pretwic.
Drahomir. – I do not understand you.
Doctor. – You will understand me. Now I cannot tell you anything more. In a half hour pray grant me a moment of conversation. Then you will understand me – that I guarantee you. Here is Anton. You see I cannot explain now.
Drahomir. – I will see you again. (He goes out.)
SCENE IIAnton. Jozwowicz.
Anton. – The fight is very hot. Have you the address?
Doctor. – Here it is. How goes it?
Anton. – Up to now everything is well, but I repeat – the fight is very hot. If you had not come the last time, you would have lost the battle, because Miliszewski has withdrawn and his partisans vote for Husarski. Podczaski is good for nothing. Your speech in the city hall was splendid. May thunder strike you! Your address was admired even by your enemies. Oh, we will at last be able to do something. For three days I have not slept – I have not eaten – I work and I have plenty of time, because I have lost my position.
Doctor. – You have lost your position?
Anton. – On account of the agitation against Husarski.
Doctor. – Have you found any means against him?
Anton. – I have-written an article. I have brought it to you. Read it. He sues me – he will beat me. They will put me in prison, but it will be only after the election, and my article wronged him very much.
Doctor. – Very well.
Anton. – But when I am in prison you must take care of my wife and children. I love them dearly. I have three of them. It is too much – but natura lex dura.
Doctor. – Be assured.
Anton. – You would not believe me if I were to tell you that I am almost happy. Sometimes it seems to me that our country is a moldy room and that I open the window and let in the fresh air. We will work very hard. I believe in you, because you are an iron man.
Doctor. – I shall either perish or gain two victories.
Anton. – Two?
Doctor. – Yes; the other one even to-day, here. The events have surprised me in some way. The facts turned against me, and I was obliged to build my plans of action only a short while ago.
Anton. – Eh! If we win only there. Do you know what – I would prefer that you abandon the idea of the other victory.
Doctor. – Anton, you are mistaken.
Anton. – Because you worry a great deal. You have grown awfully thin.
Look in the mirror.
Doctor. – No matter; after I have sprung the mine I shall be calmer and the mine is ready.
Anton. – But it will cost you too much.
Doctor. – Yes, but I shall not retract.
Anton. – At least be careful and do not smear your hands with the powder.
SCENE IIIThe same. Stella.
Stella (entering, notices Anton). – Ah, excuse me.
Doctor. – Mr. Anton Zuk, a friend of mine. (Anton bows.) What is your wish, princess?
Stella. – You told me to stay in bed and it is so hard to lie down.
Mrs. Czeska went to the chapel and I escaped. Do you approve?
Doctor. – I cannot help it, princess, although I would like to scold you like a disobedient child. A few moments ago some one else begged for you also.
Stella. – Who was it?
Doctor. – Count Drahomir. And he begged so earnestly that I promised him that I would allow you to leave the bed. He wishes to have a talk with you to-day, because he will not be able to see you again.
Stella (aside). – What does it mean?
Doctor. – He will be here at five o'clock.
Stella. – Very well.
Doctor. – And now, pray, return to your room. Your dress is too thin and you might catch cold.
SCENE IVJozwowicz. Anton.
Anton. – Ah, that is the princess.
Doctor. – Yes, it is she.
Anton. – Very pretty, but looks as though she was made of mist. As for me, I prefer women like my wife. From such as your princess you cannot expect sturdy democrats.
Doctor. – Enough of that.
Anton. – Then I will weigh anchor and sail. I will distribute the pamphlet with your address, and then I will write another article against Husarski. If they put me in prison they shall at least have a reason for it. Good-bye.
Doctor. – If you meet a servant, tell him that I am waiting for Count
Drahomir.
SCENE VJozwowicz – then Drahomir.
Doctor (alone). – Let that golden-haired page go, but he must see her before he goes. This leave-taking shall be the red flag for the bull. (Drahomir enters.) I am waiting for you, sir. Is Mr. Pretwic in the château?
Drahomir. – He is with the prince.
Doctor. – Count, be seated, and let us talk.
Drahomir (uneasily). – I am listening, sir.
Doctor. – You are in love with the princess.
Drahomir. – Mr. Jozwowicz!
Doctor. – On your honor – yes or no?
Drahomir. – Only God has the right to ask me such a question. I do not dare to ask myself.
Doctor. – And your conscience?
Drahomir. – And no one else.
Doctor. – Then let us turn the question. She loves you.
Drahomir. – Be silent, sir. Oh, God!
Doctor. – Your pride is broken. You knew of it?
Drahomir. – I did not wish to know it.
Doctor. – But now you are aware of it.
Drahomir. – That is the reason why I am going away from here forever.
Doctor. – It is too late, sir. You have tangled her life and now you leave her.
Drahomir. – For God's sake, what shall I do, then?
Doctor. – Go away, but not forever, and not without telling her good-bye.
Drahomir. – Why should I add the last drop to an already overflowing cup?
Doctor. – A beautiful phrase. Can you not understand that it will hurt her good name if you should go away suddenly without taking leave of her? And she – she is ill and she may not be able to bear your departure.
Drahomir. – I do not see any remedy —
Doctor. – There is only one. Find some pretext, bid her good-bye quietly, and tell her that you will be back. Otherwise it will be a heavy blow for her strength. You must leave her hope. She must not suspect anything. Perhaps later she will become accustomed to your absence – perhaps she will forget —
Drahomir. – It will be better for her to forget.
Doctor. – I will do my best, but I shall first throw a handful of earth on your memory.
Drahomir. – What shall I do, then?
Doctor. – To find a pretext to bid her good-bye, tell every one that you are going. Then come back – and go away. Mr. Pretwic also must not know anything.
Drahomir. – When shall I bid her good-bye?
Doctor. – In a moment. I told her. I will manage to be with Pretwic during that time. She will be here presently.
Drahomir. – I would prefer to die.
Doctor. – No one is certain of to-morrow. Be off now. (Drahomir goes out.)
SCENE VIJozwowicz. Then a servant.
Doctor. – How warm it is here! My head is splitting. (He rings – a servant enters.) Ask Mr. Pretwic to come here. (The servant goes out.) My head is bursting – but then I will have a long peace.
SCENE VIIJozwowicz. George Pretwic.
George (entering). – What do you wish with me?
Doctor. – I wish to give you good advice about the princess's health.
George. – How is she?
Doctor. – Better. I allowed her to leave bed because she and Drahomir asked me to.
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, nobody 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 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 VIIIDrahomir. 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.