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 XIV.

Jozwowicz.  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 I.

Jozwowicz.  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 II.

Anton.  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  If you had not come the last time, you would have lost the battle, because Miliszewski has withdrawn and his partisans vote for Husarski.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.