owicz. 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.

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 happe