Czeska.—­I know that you are worthy of each other.

Stella.—­Thank God that you have not met with some more serious accident.

Drahomir.—­I have met with something very pleasant—­your sympathy.

Czeska—­You have mine also—­as for Mr. Pretwic, I have a bone to pick with him.

George—­Why, dear madam?

Czeska.—­Because you are a bad boy. (To Stella and Drahomir.) You had better go to the Prince, and let us talk for a while.

Stella.—­Mother, I see you wish to flirt with Mr. Pretwic.

Czeska.—­Be quiet, you giddy thing.  May I not compete with you?  But you must remember, you Mayflower, that before every autumn there is a spring.  Well, be off!

Stella (to Drahomir).—­Let us go; Papa is in the garden and I am afraid that he is feeling worse.  What a pity it is that the doctor is not here.

SCENE III.

Mrs. Czeska, George, then Stella.

Czeska.—­I should scold you, as I have my dear girl, for keeping the secret.  But she has already told me everything, so I only say, may God bless you both.

George (kissing her hand).—­Thank you, madam.

Czeska.—­I have reared that child.  I was ten years with her, so I know what a treasure you take, sir.  You have said that your hands are too rough.  I have answered her—­not too rough, for they are honest.  But Stella is a very delicate flower.  She must be loved much, and have good care taken of her.  But you will be able to do it—­will you not?

George.—­What can I tell you?  As far as it is in human power to make happy that dearest to me girl, so far I wish to assure her happiness with me.

Czeska.—­With all my soul, I say:  God bless you!

George.—­The Princess Stella loves you like her own mother, so I will be as frank with you as with a mother.  My life has been a very hard one.  There was a moment when my life was suspended by one thread—­Karol rescued me then, and for that I love him as a brother; and then—­

Czeska.—­Stella told me.  You lived far from here?

George.—­I was in the empty steppe, half wild myself, among strangers, therefore very sad and longing for the country.  Sometimes there was not a living soul around me.

Czeska.—­God was over the stars.

George.—­That is quite different.  But a heart thrown on earth must love some one.  Therefore, with all this capacity for love, I prayed to God that he permit me to love some one.  He has granted my prayer, and has given her to me.  Do you understand me now?

Czeska.—­Yes, I do understand you!

George.—­How quickly everything has changed.  I inherited here an estate and am able to settle—­then I met the princess, and now I love her—­she is everything in this world to me.

Czeska.—­My dear Mr. Pretwic, you are worthy of Stella and she will be happy with you.  My dear Stelunia—­