* * * * *
ACT III.
The same Drawing-room.
SCENE I.
(Mr. Podczaski enters, followed by a servant.)
Podczaski.--Tell the Doctor that Mr. Podczaski wishes to see him on an
important matter.
Servant.--The Doctor is very busy. The princess is ill. But I will
tell him (goes out).
Podczaski (alone).--I have enough of this work for nothing. The
countess sends me about to agitate for her, but when I ask her for
some money, she answers: We shall see about it after the election. She
is an aristocrat and she refuses a hundred florins to a nobleman. To
the deuce with such business. I had better try elsewhere, to serve the
Doctor. He pays because he has common sense. And as he will bite them,
then I will rise in consideration.
SCENE II.
Podczaski. Jozwowicz.
Podczaski.--Your servant, sir.
Doctor.--What can I do for you?
Podczaski.--Well, sir, I am going to come right to the point. You know
what services I have rendered the Countess Miliszewski?
Doctor.--Yes, you have been agitating against me in favor of Count
Miliszewski. Podczaski.--No, not at all, sir. Well, sir, it was so,
but I am going to change that, and you may be certain--
Doctor.--In a word, what do you wish, sir?
Podczaski.--God sees, sir, that I served the countess faithfully, and
it cost me quite a little, but on consulting my conscience I have
concluded not to act any more against such a man as you, sir, for the
sake of the country.
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