mir.--That is the reason why I am going away from here forever.

Doctor.--It is too late, sir. You have tangled her life and now you
leave her.

Drahomir.--For God's sake, what shall I do, then?

Doctor.--Go away, but not forever, and not without telling her
good-bye.

Drahomir.--Why should I add the last drop to an already overflowing
cup?

Doctor.--A beautiful phrase. Can you not understand that it will hurt
her good name if you should go away suddenly without taking leave
of her? And she--she is ill and she may not be able to bear your
departure.

Drahomir.--I do not see any remedy--

Doctor.--There is only one. Find some pretext, bid her good-bye
quietly, and tell her that you will be back. Otherwise it will be a
heavy blow for her strength. You must leave her hope. She must not
suspect anything. Perhaps later she will become accustomed to your
absence--perhaps she will forget--

Drahomir.--It will be better for her to forget.

Doctor.--I will do my best, but I shall first throw a handful of earth
on your memory.

Drahomir.--What shall I do, then?

Doctor.--To find a pretext to bid her good-bye, tell every one that
you are going. Then come back--and go away. Mr. Pretwic also must not
know anything.

Drahomir.--When shall I bid her good-bye?

Doctor.--In a moment. I told her. I will manage to be with Pretwic
during that time. She will be here presently.

Drahomir.--I would prefer to die.

Doctor.--No one is certain of to-morrow. Be off now. (Drahomir goes
out.)

SCENE VI.

Jozwowicz. Then a servant.

Doctor.--How warm it is here! My head is splitting. (He rings--a
servant enters.) Ask Mr. Pretwic to come here. (The servant goes out.)
My head is bursting--but then I will have a long peace.

SCENE VII.

Jozwowicz. George Pretwic.

George (entering).--What do you wish with me?

Doctor.--I wish to give you good advice about the princess's health.

George.--How is she?

Doctor.--Better. I allowed her to leave bed because she and Drahomir
asked me to.

George.--Drahomir?

Doctor.--Yes. He wishes to talk with her. They will be here in a
quarter of an hour.

George.--Jozwowicz, I am choking with wrath and pain. Drahomir avoids
me.

Doctor.--But you do not suspect him.

George.--I swear to you that I have defended myself from suspicions as
a man dying on the steppe defends himself from the crows--that I have
bitten my hands with pain and despair--that I still defend mysel