Kore. Yes. If we kill him now the fire will seem only a part of the deed. It will help them fix the lie upon us.
Adr. Too late, thank God!
Kore. You think of nothing but Petrizoff! What of the people now dying in Yaltowa? Dying because he lives? Go see the horrors there! The reactionists are everywhere in the streets, disguised as revolutionists, looting and murdering! Your Karitz peasants are being turned into beasts——
[Adrian gives a deep groan and sits overcome, by table front, left]
Kore. It is not too late! Our friends—Russia—freedom—yet may live if you will help us! Your name will justify Petrizoff's death to the world. With the loss of their chief the reactionists will be in confusion, before they can recover you can organize the great leagues into a militia——
Adr. You are mad to think such power is in me.
Kore. You don't know your power! You can do it—you only—and it must be done now—before the war in the East is over—before the Czar can make new promises—give us the mockery of a constitution, and fool half of us back to allegiance—before——
Adr. [Rising, shaken] It can not rest with me. One man can not make destiny.
Kore. Yes, when that man is you—when the time is now! Absolutism is at its ebb. Will you wait till the tide gathers and flows over us again in waves of blood?
Adr. [To himself, walking] Are there then two codes? One for the man, one for the race? And when they conflict, the man must yield?