Drahomir.—­Farewell.

Stella.—­Farewell. (She goes toward the door.  Then suddenly turns.  With a sob in her voice.) Why do you deceive me?  You are going forever.

Drahomir.—­Have mercy on me.

Stella.—­Are you going away forever?

Drahomir.—­Yes, then.

Stella.—­I guessed it.  But perhaps it is better—­for both of us.

Drahomir.—­Oh, yes.  There are things which cannot be expressed, although the heart is bursting.  A while ago you told me that you will remember—­it will be better for you to forget.

Stella.—­I cannot. (She weeps.)

Drahomir (passionately).—­Then I love you, my dearest, and that is the reason why I escape. (He presses her to his breast.)

Stella (awakening).—­Oh, God! (She rushes, out.)

SCENE IX.

Drahomir.  Jozwowicz.  George.

(George stops with Jozwowicz near the door.)

Drahomir.—­Ah, it is you, George.

George.—­Do not approach me.  I have seen all.  You are a villain and a coward.

Drahomir—­George!

George.—­In order not to soil my hand, I throw in your face our broken friendship, my trampled happiness, lost faith in God and man, endless contempt for you and myself.

Drahomir.—­Enough.

George.—­Do not approach me, because I will lose my self-command and will sprinkle these walls with your brains.  No, I shall not do that—­because I have promised.  But I slap your face, you villain.  Do you hear me?

Drahomir (after struggling with himself for a moment).—­Such an insult
I swear before God and man I will wash out with blood.

George.—­Yes, with blood (pointing to the doctor).  Here is the witness of these words.

Doctor.—­At your service, gentlemen.

END OF ACT IV.

* * * * *

ACT V.

The same drawing-room.

SCENE I.

Jozwowicz enters reading a dispatch.

The result of the ballotting until now:  Jozwowicz, 613; Husarski, 604.  At ten o’clock:  Jozwowicz, 700; Husarski, 700.  At 11 o’clock:  Jozwowicz, 814; Husarski, 750.  The fight is hot.  The final results will be known at three o’clock. (He consults his watch.)

SCENE II.

Jozwowicz.  George.

Doctor.—­You are here?

George.—­You are as afraid of me as of a ghost.

Doctor.—­I thought you were elsewhere.

George.—­I am going directly from here to fight.  I have still an hour.  The duel will take place at Dombrowa, on the Miliszewski’s estate—­not far from here.

Doctor.—­Too near from here.

George.—­Miliszewski insisted.  And then you will be here to prevent the news from being known until as late as possible.