Doctor.—­Doctor Krzycki will be with you?

George.—­Yes.

Doctor.—­Ask him to send me the news at once.  I would go with you, but
I must be here.

George.—­You are right.  If I am killed?

Doctor.—­You must not think of that.

George.—­There are some people who are cursed from the moment they are born, and for whom death is the only redemption.  I belong to that class.  I have thought everything over quietly.  God knows that I am more afraid of life than of death.  There is no issue for me.  Suppose I am not killed—­tell me what will become of me, if I kill the man whom she loves?  Tell me!  I will live without her, cursed by her.  Do you know that when I think of my situation, and what has happened, I think some bad spirit has mixed with us and entangled everything so that only death can disentangle it.

Doctor.—­A duel is very often ended by a mere wound.

George.—­I insulted Drahomir gravely, and such an insult cannot be wiped out by a wound.  Believe me, one of us must die.  But I came to talk with you about something else.

Doctor.—­I am listening to you.

George.—­Frankly speaking, as I do not know what will become of me, and whether in an hour I shall be alive or not, I came to have one more look at her.  Because I love her dearly.  Perhaps I was too rough for her—­too stupid—­but I loved her.  May God punish me if I have not desired her happiness.  As you see me here it is true that at this moment I pity her the most and feel miserable about her future.  Listen:  whether I am killed or not, she cannot be mine.  Drahomir cannot marry her, because he could not marry the woman whose fiance he has killed.  Of the three of us you alone will remain near her.  Take care of her—­guard her.  Into your hands I give her, the only treasure I ever possessed.

Doctor (quietly).—­I shall carry out your wishes.

George.—­And now—­I may be killed.  I wish to die like a Christian.  If ever I have offended you, forgive me. (They shake hands.  George goes out.)

Doctor (alone).—­Yes, of the three of us I alone shall remain near her.

SCENE III.

Jozwowicz.  Anton.

Anton (rushing in).—­Man, have you become an idiot?  When every moment is valuable, you remain here.  The results are uncertain.  They have put up big posters—­Husarski’s partisans are catching the votes in the streets.  For God’s sake come with me.  A carriage is waiting for us.

Doctor.—­I must remain here.  I cannot go under any consideration in the world.  Let be what may.

Anton.—­I did not expect such conduct from you.  Come and show yourself, if only for a moment, and the victory is ours.  I cannot speak any more.  I am dead tired.  Have you become a madman?  There—­we have worked for him, and he clings to a petticoat and stays here.

Doctor.—­Anton!  Even if I should lose there I would not stir one step from here.  I cannot and I will not go.