Anton (consulting watch).—­In a few moments the committee will be here to see you.

Doctor.—­Very well.  The prince is coming with the Countess Miliszewska and her son, my opponent.  Let us be going.

SCENE II.

Prince, Stella, Mrs. Czeska, Countess Miliszewska, Jan Miliszewski, Podczaski.

Countess.—­It is impossible to understand.  The world grows wild nowadays.

Prince.—­I say the same.  Stella, do I not say so?

Stella.—­Very often.

Countess (low to her son).—­Sit near the princess and entertain her. 
Go ahead!

Jan.—­I am going, mamma.

Countess.—­There is too much of that audacity.  I have sent Mr. Podczaski to the electors, and they say:  “We do not need representatives without heads.”  I am only surprised that the prince is not more indignant.  I rush here and there, I pray and work, and they dare to oppose to my son Mr. Jozwowicz.

Prince.—­But madam, what can I do?

Countess.—­And who is Mr. Jozwowicz—­a physician?  What does a doctor amount to?  Jan has influence, importance, social position, relatives—­and what has the doctor?  From whence did he come here?  Who ever heard of him?  Really, I cannot speak calmly, and I think it must be the end of the world.  Is it not, Mr. Podczaski?

Podczaski (saluting).—­Yes, countess, God’s wrath.  There were never such loud thunders.

Prince.—­Thunders?  Mrs. Czeska, what?  Have your heard thunder?

Czeska.—­It is a very usual thing at the end of spring.  Do not mind it.

Countess (in a low voice).—­Jan, go ahead.

Jan.—­Yes, mamma, I am going.

Countess.—­Prince, you will see that Jan will not be elected purely on account of the hatred against us.  They say that he does not know the country, and does not understand its needs.  But before all we must not allow such people as Jozwowicz to become important in the country.  Prince, is it not so?

Prince.—­He will not ask your permission.

Countess.—­That is exactly why the world must be coming to an end—­that such people can do as they please!  They dare to say that Jan will not be able to make a good representative, and that Mr. Jozwowicz will.  Jan was always an excellent student in Metz.  Jan, were you not a good student?

Jan.—­Yes, mamma.

Podczaski.—­Countess, you are perfectly right.  It is the end of the world.

Stella.—­What did you study especially?

Jan.—­I, madam?  I studied the history of heresy.

Princess.—­Mrs. Czeska—­what?  Have studied what?

Countess.—­They reproach us with not having talent, but for diplomacy one must have talent.

Podczaski.—­The count does even look like a diplomat.

Prince (aside).—­Well, not very much.

Czeska.—­The count does not have much to say.