第 43 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-04-30 15:46      字数:5348
  At this moment Violet and Octavius come from the villa with Mrs
  Whitefield; who is wrapped up for driving。 Simultaneously Malone
  and Ramsden; followed by Mendoza and Straker; come in through the
  little gate in the paling。 Tanner shamefacedly releases Ann; who
  raises her hand giddily to her forehead。
  MALONE。 Take care。 Something's the matter with the lady。
  RAMSDEN。 What does this mean?
  VIOLET。 'running between Ann and Tanner' Are you ill?
  ANN。 'reeling; with a supreme effort' I have promised to marry
  Jack。 'She swoons。 Violet kneels by her and chafes her band。
  Tanner runs round to her other hand; and tries to lift her bead。
  Octavius goes to Violet's assistance; but does not know what to
  do。 Mrs Whitefield hurries back into the villa。 Octavius; Malone
  and Ramsden run to Ann and crowd round her; stooping to assist。
  Straker coolly comes to Ann's feet; and Mendoza to her head; both
  upright and self…possessed'。
  STRAKER。 Now then; ladies and gentlemen: she don't want a crowd
  round her: she wants airall the air she can git。 If you please;
  gents 'Malone and Ramsden allow him to drive them gently past
  Ann and up the lawn towards the garden; where Octavius; who has
  already become conscious of his uselessness; joins them。 Straker;
  following them up; pauses for a moment to instruct Tanner'。 Don't
  lift er ed; Mr Tanner: let it go flat so's the blood can run back
  into it。
  MENDOZA。 He is right; Mr Tanner。 Trust to the air of the Sierra。
  'He withdraws delicately to the garden steps'。
  TANNER。 'rising' I yield to your superior knowledge of physiology;
  Henry。 'He withdraws to the corner of the lawn; and Octavius
  immediately hurries down to him'。
  TAVY。 'aside to Tanner; grasping his hand' Jack: be very happy。
  TANNER。 'aside to Tavy' I never asked her。 It is a trap for me。
  'He goes up the lawn towards the garden。 Octavius remains
  petrified'。
  MENDOZA。 'intercepting Mrs Whitefield; who comes from the villa
  with a glass of brandy' What is this; madam 'he takes it from
  her'?
  MRS WHITEFIELD。 A little brandy。
  MENDOZA。 The worst thing you could give her。 Allow me。 'He
  swallows it'。 Trust to the air of the Sierra; madam。
  For a moment the men all forget Ann and stare at Mendoza。
  ANN。 'in Violet's ear; clutching  her round the neck' Violet;
  did Jack say anything when I fainted?
  VIOLET。 No。
  ANN。 Ah! 'with a sigh of intense relief she relapses'。
  MRS WHITEFIELD。 Oh; she's fainted again。
  They are about to rush back to her; but Mendoza stops them with a
  warning gesture。
  ANN。 'supinej No I haven't。 I'm quite happy。
  TANNER。 'suddenly walking determinedly to her; and snatching her
  hand from Violet to feel her pulse' Why; her pulse is positively
  bounding。 Come; getup。 What nonsense! Up with you。 'He gets her
  up summarily'。
  ANN。 Yes: I feel strong enough now。 But you very nearly killed
  me; Jack; for all that。
  MALONE。 A rough wooer; eh? They're the best sort; Miss
  Whitefield。 I congratulate Mr Tanner; and I hope to meet you and
  him as frequent guests at the Abbey。
  ANN。 Thank you。 'She goes past Malone to Octavius' Ricky Ticky
  Tavy: congratulate me。 'Aside to him' I want to make you cry for
  the last time。
  TAVY。 'steadfastly' No more tears。 I am happy in your happiness。
  And I believe in you in spite of everything。
  RAMSDEN。 'coming between Malone and Tanner' You are a happy man;
  Jack Tanner。 I envy you。
  MENDOZA。 'advancing between Violet and Tanner' Sir: there are two
  tragedies in life。 One is not to get your heart's desire。 The
  other is to get it。 Mine and yours; sir。
  TANNER。 Mr Mendoza: I have no heart's desires。 Ramsden: it is
  very easy for you to call me a happy man: you are only a
  spectator。 I am one of the principals; and I know better。 Ann:
  stop tempting Tavy; and come back to me。
  ANN。 'complying' You are absurd; Jack。 'She takes his proffered
  arm'。
  TANNER。 'continuing' I solemnly say that I am not a happy man。
  Ann looks happy; but she is only triumphant; successful;
  victorious。 That is not happiness; but the price for which the
  strong sell their happiness。 What we have both done this
  afternoon is to renounce tranquillity; above all renounce the
  romantic possibilities of an unknown future; for the cares of a
  household and a family。 I beg that no man may seize the occasion
  to get half drunk and utter imbecile speeches and coarse
  pleasantries at my expense。 We propose to furnish our own house
  according to our own taste; and I hereby give notice that the
  seven or eight travelling clocks; the four or five dressing
  cases; the salad bowls; the carvers and fish slices; the copy of
  Tennyson in extra morocco; and all the other articles you are
  preparing to heap upon us; will be instantly sold; and the
  proceeds devoted to circulating free copies of the
  Revolutionist's Handbook。 The wedding will take place three days
  after our return to England; by special license; at the office of
  the district superintendent registrar; in the presence of my
  solicitor and his clerk; who; like his clients; will be in
  ordinary walking dress。
  VIOLET。 'with intense conviction' You are a brute; Jack。
  ANN。 (looking at him with fond pride and caressing his arm' Never
  mind her; dear。 Go on talking。
  TANNER。 Talking!
  Universal laughter。
  End