. If the news of the fight should
come to the princess, she would pay for it with her life.

Anton.--They are fighting!

Doctor.--For life or death. In a moment the news will come who is
killed. (A moment of silence.)

Anton.--Jozwowicz, you have done all this.

Doctor.--Yes, it is I, I crushed those who were in my way, and I shall
act the same always. You have me such as I am.

Anton.--If so, I am no longer in a hurry. Do you know what I am going
to tell you?

Doctor.--You must go for a while. The princess is coming. (He opens
the door of a side room.) Go in there for a moment.

SCENE IV.

Jozwowicz and Stella.

Stella.--Doctor, what is the matter in this house?

Doctor.--What do you mean, princess?

Stella.--Mr. Pretwic came to tell me good-bye. He was very much
changed and asked me to forgive him if he ever offended me.

Doctor (aside).--A sentimental ass.

Stella.--He said that he might be obliged to go away in a few days. I
have a presentiment that you are hiding something from me. What does
it mean? Do not torture me any longer. I am so miserable that you
should have pity on me.

Doctor.--Do not let anything worry you. What can there be the matter?
An idle fancy, that is all! The care of loving hearts surrounds you.
Why should you have such a wild imagination? You had better return to
your apartment and do not receive any one. I will come to see you in a
moment.

Stella.--Then truly there is nothing bad?

Doctor.--What an idea! Pray believe me, I should be able to remove
anything which would threaten your happiness.

Stella (stretching out her hand to him).--Oh, Mr. Jozwowicz, happiness
is a very difficult thing to take hold of. May only the peace not
leave us. (She goes to enter the room in which Anton is.)

Doctor.--This way, princess. Some one is waiting for me in that room.
In a moment I will come to see you. Pray do not receive any one.
Anton! (The princess goes out.)

SCENE V.

Anton, Jozwowicz, then a Servant.

Anton.--Here I am. Poor child!

Doctor.--I cannot go for her sake. I must be here and not let the bad
news reach her, for it would kill her.

Anton.--What! and you, knowing this, you still expose her, and
sacrifice her for yourself?

Doctor (passionately).--I love her and I must have her, even if the
walls of this house should crumble around our heads.

Anton.--Man, you are talking nonsense.

Doctor.--Man, you are talking like a nincompoop, and not like a man