THEOFFICER。Whoarethesemen，SenorIngles？
　　TANNER。Myescort。
　　Mendoza，withaMephistopheleansmile，bowsprofoundly。Anirrepressiblegrinrunsfromfacetofaceamongthebrigands。Theytouchtheirhats，excepttheAnarchist，whodefiestheStatewithfoldedarms。
　　ACTIV
　　ThegardenofavillainGranada。WhoeverwishestoknowwhatitislikemustgotoGranadaandsee。Onemayprosaicallyspecifyagroupofhillsdottedwithvillas，theAlhambraonthetopofoneofthehills，andaconsiderabletowninthevalley，approachedbydustywhiteroadsinwhichthechildren，nomatterwhattheyaredoingorthinkingabout，automaticallywhineforhalfpenceandreachoutlittleclutchingbrownpalmsforthem；butthereisnothinginthisdescriptionexcepttheA1hambra，thebegging，andthecoloroftheroads，thatdoesnotfitSurreyaswellasSpain。ThedifferenceisthattheSurreyhillsarecomparativelysmallandugly，andshouldproperlybecalledtheSurreyProtuberances；buttheseSpanishhillsareofmountainstock：theamenitywhichconcealstheirsizedoesnotcompromisetheirdignity。
　　ThisparticulargardenisonahilloppositetheAlhambra；andthevillaisasexpensiveandpretentiousasavillamustbeifitistobeletfurnishedbytheweektoopulentAmericanandEnglishvisitors。Ifwestandonthelawnatthefootofthegardenandlookuphill，ourhorizonisthestonebalustradeofaflaggedplatformontheedgeofinfinitespaceatthetopofthehill。Betweenusandthisplatformisaflowergardenwithacircularbasinandfountaininthecentre，surroundedbygeometricalflowerbeds，gravelpaths，andclippedyewtreesinthegenteelestorder。Thegardenishigherthanourlawn；sowereachitbyafewstepsinthemiddleofitsembankment。Theplatformishigheragainthanthegarden，fromwhichwemountacouplemorestepstolookoverthebalustradeatafineviewofthetownupthevalleyandofthehillsthatstretchawaybeyondittowhere，intheremotestdistance，theybecomemountains。Onourleftisthevilla，accessiblebystepsfromthelefthandcornerofthegarden。Returningfromtheplatformthroughthegardenanddownagaintothelawn（amovementwhichleavesthevillabehindusonourright）wefindevidenceofliteraryinterestsonthepartofthetenantsinthefactthatthereisnotennisnetnorsetofcroquethoops，but，onourleft，alittleirongardentablewithbooksonit，mostlyyellow—backed，andachairbesideit。Achairontherighthasalsoacoupleofopenbooksuponit。Therearenonewspapers，acircumstancewhich，withtheabsenceofgames，mightleadanintelligentspectatortothemostfarreachingconclusionsastothesortofpeoplewholiveinthevilla。Suchspeculationsarechecked，however，onthisdelightfullyfineafternoon，bytheappearanceatalittlegateinapalinganourleft，ofHenryStrakerinhisprofessionalcostume。Heopensthegateforanelderlygentleman，andfollowshimontothelawn。
　　ThiselderlygentlemandefiestheSpanishsuninablackfrockcoat，tallsilkbat，trousersinwhichnarrowstripesofdarkgreyandlilacblendintoahighlyrespectablecolor，andablacknecktietiedintoabowoverspotlesslinen。Probablythereforeamanwhosesocialpositionneedsconstantandscrupulousaffirmationwithoutregardtoclimate：onewhowoulddressthusforthemiddleoftheSaharaorthetopofMontBlanc。Andsincehehasnotthestampoftheclasswhichacceptsasitslife—missiontheadvertizingandmaintenanceoffirstratetailoringandmillinery，helooksvulgarinhisfinery，thoughinaworkingdressofanykindhewouldlookdignifiedenough。Heisabulletcheekedmanwitharedcomplexion，stubblyhair，smallisheyes，ahardmouththatfoldsdownatthecorners，andadoggedchin。Theloosenessofskinthatcomeswithagehasattackedhisthroatandthelapsofhischeeks；butheisstillhardasanappleabovethemouth；sothattheupperhalfofhisfacelooksyoungerthanthelower。Hehastheself—confidenceofonewhohasmademoney，andsomethingofthetruculenceofonewhohasmadeitinabrutalizingstruggle，hiscivilityhavingunderitaperceptiblemenacethathehasothermethodsinreserveifnecessary。Withal，amantoberatherpitiedwhenheisnottobefeared；forthereissomethingpatheticabouthimattimes，asifthehugecommercialmachinewhichhasworkedhimintohisfrockcoathadallowedhimverylittleofhisownwayandlefthisaffectionshungryandbaffled。AtthefirstwordthatfallsfromhimitisclearthatheisanIrishmanwhosenativeintonationhasclungtohimthroughmanychangesofplaceandrank。OnecanonlyguessthattheoriginalmaterialofhisspeechwasperhapsthesurlyKerrybrogue；butthedegradationofspeechthatoccursinLondon，Glasgow，Dublinandbigcitiesgenerallyhasbeenatworkonitsolongthatnobodybutanarrantcockneywoulddreamofcallingitabroguenow；foritsmusicisalmostgone，thoughitssurlinessisstillperceptible。
　　Straker，asaveryobviouscockney，inspireshimwithimplacablecontempt，asastupidEnglishmanwhocannotevenspeakhisownlanguageproperly。Straker，ontheotherhand，regardstheoldgentleman’saccentasajokethoughtfullyprovidedbyProvidenceexpresslyfortheamusementoftheBritishrace，andtreatshimnormallywiththeindulgenceduetoaninferiorandunluckyspecies，butoccasionallywithindignantalarmwhentheoldgentlemanshowssignsofintendinghisIrishnonsensetobetakenseriously。
　　STRAKER。I’llgotelltheyounglady。Shesaidyou’dprefertostayhere[heturnstogoupthroughthegardentothevilla]。
　　MALONE。[whohasbeenlookingroundhimwithlivelycuriosity]
　　Theyounglady？That’sMissViolet，eh？
　　STRAKER。[stoppingonthestepswithsuddensuspicion]Well，youknow，don’tyou？
　　MALONE。DoI？
　　STRAKER。[histemperrising]Well，doyouordon’tyou？
　　MALONE。Whatbusinessisthatofyours？
　　Straker，nowhighlyindignant，comesbackfromthestepsandconfrontsthevisitor。
　　STRAKER。I’lltellyouwhatbusinessitisofmine。MissRobinson——
　　MALONE。[interrupting]Oh，hernameisRobinson，isit？Thankyou。
　　STRAKER。Why，youdon’tknowevenhername？
　　MALONE。YesIdo，nowthatyou’vetoldme。
　　STRAKER。[afteramomentofstupefactionattheoldman’sreadinessinrepartee]Lookhere：whatdoyoumeanbygittinintomycarandlettinmebringyouhereifyou’renotthepersonI
　　tookthatnoteto？
　　MALONE。Whoelsedidyoutakeitto，pray？
　　STRAKER。ItookittoMrEctorMalone，atMissRobinson’srequest，see？MissRobinsonisnotmyprincipal：Itookittoobligeher。IknowMrMalone；andheain’tyou，notbyalongchalk。AtthehoteltheytoldmethatyournameisEctorMalone。
　　MALONE。HectorMalone。
　　STRAKER。[withcalmsuperiority]Hectorinyourowncountry：
　　that’swhatcomesolivininprovincialplaceslikeIrelandandAmerica。Overhereyou’reEctor：ifyouavn’tnoticeditbeforeyousoonwill。
　　ThegrowingstrainoftheconversationishererelievedbyViolet，whohassalliedfromthevillaandthroughthegardentothesteps，whichshenowdescends，comingveryopportunelybetweenMaloneandStraker。
　　VIOLET。[toStraker]Didyoutakemymessage？
　　STRAKER。Yes，miss。Itookittothehotelandsentitup，expectingtoseeyoungMrMalone。Thenoutwalksthisgent，andsaysit’sallrightandhe’llcomewithme。SoasthehotelpeoplesaidhewasMrEctorMalone，Ifetchedhim。Andnowhegoesbackonwhathesaid。Butifheisn’tthegentlemanyoumeant，saytheword：it’seasyenoughtofetchhimbackagain。
　　MALONE。IshouldesteemitagreatfavorifImighthaveashortconversationwithyou，madam。IamHector’sfather，asthisbrightBritisherwouldhaveguessedinthecourseofanotherhourorso。
　　STRAKER。[coollydefiant]No，notinanotheryearorso。Whenwe’veadyouaslongtopolishupaswe’veadim，perhapsyou’llbegintolookalittlebituptoismark。Atpresentyoufallalongwayshort。You’vegottoomanyaitches，foronething。[ToViolet，amiably]Allright，Miss：youwanttotalktohim：I
　　shan’tintrude。[HenodsaffablytoMaloneandgoesoutthroughthelittlegateinthepaling]。
　　VIOLET。[verycivilly]Iamsosorry，MrMalone，ifthatmanhasbeenrudetoyou。Butwhatcanwedo？Heisourchauffeur。
　　MALONE。Yourwhat？
　　VIOLET。Thedriverofourautomobile。Hecandriveamotorcaratseventymilesanhour，andmenditwhenitbreaksdown。Wearedependentonourmotorcars；andourmotorcarsaredependentonhim；soofcoursewearedependentonhim。
　　MALONE。I’venoticed，madam，thateverythousanddollarsanEnglishmangetsseemstoaddonetothenumberofpeoplehe’sdependenton。However，youneedn’tapologizeforyourman：Imadehimtalkonpurpose。BydoingsoIlearntthatyou’restayinghereinGrannidawithapartyofEnglish，includingmysonHector。
　　VIOLET。[conversationally]Yes。WeintendedtogotoNice；butwehadtofollowarathereccentricmemberofourpartywhostartedfirstandcamehere。Won’tyousitdown？[Sheclearsthenearestchairofthetwobooksonit]。
　　MALONE。[impressedbythisattention]Thankyou。[Hesitsdown，examininghercuriouslyasshegoestotheirontabletoputdownthebooks。Whensheturnstohimagain，hesays]MissRobinson，I
　　believe？
　　VIOLET。[sittingdown]Yes。
　　MALONE。[Takingaletterfromhispocket]YournotetoHectorrunsasfollows[Violetisunabletorepressastart。Hepausesquietlytotakeoutandputonhisspectacles，whichhavegoldrims]："Dearest：theyhaveallgonetotheAlhambrafortheafternoon。Ihaveshammedheadacheandhavethegardenalltomyself。JumpintoJack’smotor：Strakerwillrattleyouhereinajiffy。Quick，quick，quick。YourlovingViolet。"[Helooksather；butbythistimeshehasrecoveredherself，andmeetshisspectacleswithperfectcomposure。Hecontinuesslowly]NowI
　　don’tknowonwhattermsyoungpeopleassociateinEnglishsociety；butinAmericathatnotewouldbeconsideredtoimplyaveryconsiderabledegreeofaffectionateintimacybetweentheparties。
　　VIOLET。Yes：Iknowyoursonverywell，MrMalone。Haveyouanyobjection？
　　MALONE。[somewhattakenaback]No，noobjectionexactly。Provideditisunderstoodthatmysonisaltogetherdependentonme，andthatIhavetobeconsultedinanyimportantstephemayproposetotake。
　　VIOLET。Iamsureyouwouldnotbeunreasonablewithhim，MrMalone。
　　MALONE。Ihopenot，MissRobinson；butatyourageyoumightthinkmanythingsunreasonablethatdon’tseemsotome。
　　VIOLET。[withalittleshrug]Ohwell，Isupposethere’snouseourplayingatcrosspurposes，MrMalone。Hectorwantstomarryme。
　　MALONE。Iinferredfromyournotethathemight。Well，MissRobinson，heishisownmaster；butifhemarriesyouheshallnothavearapfromme。[Hetakesoffhisspectaclesandpocketsthemwiththenote]。
　　VIOLET。[withsomeseverity]Thatisnotverycomplimentarytome，MrMalone。
　　MALONE。Isaynothingagainstyou，MissRobinson：Idaresayyouareanamiableandexcellentyounglady。ButIhaveotherviewsforHector。
　　VIOLET。Hectormaynothaveotherviewsforhimself，MrMalone。
　　MALONE。Possiblynot。Thenhedoeswithoutme：that’sall。I
　　daresayyouarepreparedforthat。Whenayoungladywritestoayoungmantocometoherquick，quick，quick，moneyseemsnothingandloveseemseverything。
　　VIOLET。[sharply]Ibegyourpardon，MrMalone：Idonotthinkanythingsofoolish。Hectormusthavemoney。
　　MALONE。[staggered]Oh，verywell，verywell。Nodoubthecanworkforit。
　　VIOLET。Whatistheuseofhavingmoneyifyouhavetoworkforit？[Sherisesimpatiently]。It’sallnonsense，MrMalone：youmustenableyoursontokeepuphisposition。Itishisright。
　　MALONE。[grimly]Ishouldnotadviseyoutomarryhimonthestrengthofthatright，MissRobinson。
　　Violet，whohasalmostlosthertemper，controlsherselfwithaneffort；unclenchesherfingers；andresumesherseatwithstudiedtranquillityandreasonableness。
　　VIOLET。Whatobjectionhaveyoutome，pray？MysocialpositionisasgoodasHector’s，tosaytheleast。Headmitsit。
　　MALONE。[shrewdly]Youtellhimsofromtimetotime，eh？
　　Hector’ssocialpositioninEngland，MissRobinson，isjustwhatIchoosetobuyforhim。Ihavemadehimafairoffer。Lethimpickoutthemosthistorichouse，castleorabbeythatEnglandcontains。Thedaythathetellsmehewantsitforawifeworthyofitstraditions，Ibuyitforhim，andgivehimthemeansofkeepingitup。
　　VIOLET。Whatdoyoumeanbyawifeworthyofitstraditions？
　　Cannotanywellbredwomankeepsuchahouseforhim？
　　MALONE。No：shemustbeborntoit。
　　VIOLET。Hectorwasnotborntoit，washe？
　　MALONE。HisgranmotherwasabarefootedIrishgirlthatnursedmebyaturffire。Lethimmarryanothersuch，andIwillnotstinthermarriageportion。Lethimraisehimselfsociallywithmymoneyorraisesomebodyelsesolongasthereisasocialprofitsomewhere，I’llregardmyexpenditureasjustified。Buttheremustbeaprofitforsomeone。Amarriagewithyouwouldleavethingsjustwheretheyare。
　　VIOLET。Manyofmyrelationswouldobjectverymuchtomymarryingthegrandsonofacommonwoman，MrMalone。Thatmaybeprejudice；butsoisyourdesiretohavehimmarryatitleprejudice。
　　MALONE。[rising，andapproachingherwithascrutinyinwhichthereisagooddealofreluctantrespect]Youseemaprettystraightforwarddownrightsortofayoungwoman。
　　VIOLET。IdonotseewhyIshouldbemademiserablypoorbecauseIcannotmakeprofitsforyou。WhydoyouwanttomakeHectorunhappy？
　　MALONE。Hewillgetoveritallrightenough。Menthrivebetterondisappointmentsinlovethanondisappointmentsinmoney。I
　　daresayyouthinkthatsordid；butIknowwhatI’mtalkingabout。
　　MyfatherdiedofstarvationinIrelandintheblack47，Maybeyou’veheardofit。
　　VIOLET。TheFamine？
　　MALONE。[withsmoulderingpassion]No，thestarvation。Whenacountryisfulloffood，andexportingit，therecanbenofamine。Myfatherwasstarveddead；andIwasstarvedouttoAmericainmymother’sarms。EnglishruledrovemeandmineoutofIreland。Well，youcankeepIreland。IandmylikearecomingbacktobuyEngland；andwe’llbuythebestofit。IwantnomiddleclasspropertiesandnomiddleclasswomenforHector。
　　That’sstraightforwardisn’tit，likeyourself？
　　VIOLET。[icilypityinghissentimentality]Really，MrMalone，I
　　amastonishedtohearamanofyourageandgoodsensetalkinginthatromanticway。DoyousupposeEnglishnoblemenwillselltheirplacestoyoufortheasking？
　　MALONE。IhavetherefusaloftwooftheoldestfamilymansionsinEngland。Onehistoricownercan’taffordtokeepalltheroomsdusted：theothercan’taffordthedeathduties。Whatdoyousaynow？
　　VIOLET。Ofcourseitisveryscandalous；butsurelyyouknowthattheGovernmentwillsoonerorlaterputastoptoalltheseSocialisticattacksonproperty。
　　MALONE。[grinning]D’y’thinkthey’llbeabletogetthatdonebeforeIbuythehouse——orrathertheabbey？They’rebothabbeys。
　　VIOLET。[puttingthatasideratherimpatiently]Oh，well，letustalksense，MrMalone。Youmustfeelthatwehaven’tbeentalkingsensesofar。
　　MALONE。Ican’tsayIdo。ImeanallIsay。
　　VIOLET。Thenyoudon’tknowHectorasIdo。Heisromanticandfaddy——hegetsitfromyou，Ifancy——andhewantsacertainsortofwifetotakecareofhim。Notafaddysortofperson，youknow。
　　MALONE。Somebodylikeyou，perhaps？
　　VIOLET。[quietly]Well，yes。Butyoucannotverywellaskmetoundertakethiswithabsolutelynomeansofkeepinguphisposition。
　　MALONE。[alarmed]Stopabit，stopabit。Wherearewegettingto？I’mnotawarethatI’maskingyoutoundertakeanything。
　　VIOLET。Ofcourse，MrMalone，youcanmakeitverydifficultformetospeaktoyouifyouchoosetomisunderstandme。
　　MALONE。[halfbewildered]Idon’twishtotakeanyunfairadvantage；butweseemtohavegotoffthestraighttracksomehow。
　　Straker，withtheairofamanwhohasbeenmakinghaste，opensthelittlegate，andadmitsHector，who，snortingwithindignation，comesuponthelawn，andismakingforhisfatherwhenViolet，greatlydismayed，springsupandinterceptshim。
　　Strakerdoernotwait；atleasthedoesnotremainvisiblywithinearshot。
　　VIOLET。Oh，howunlucky！Nowplease，Hector，saynothing。GoawayuntilIhavefinishedspeakingtoyourfather。
　　HECTOR。[inexorably]No，Violet：Imeantohavethisthingout，rightaway。[Heputsheraside；passesherby；andfaceshisfather，whosecheeksdarkenashisIrishbloodbeginstosimmer]。
　　Dad：you’venotplayedthishandstraight。
　　MALONE。Hwatd’y’mean？
　　HECTOR。You’veopenedaletteraddressedtome。You’veimpersonatedmeandstolenamarchonthislady。That’sdishonorable。
　　MALONE。[threateningly]Nowyoutakecarewhatyou’resaying，Hector。Takecare，Itellyou。
　　HECTOR。Ihavetakencare。Iamtakingcare。I’mtakingcareofmyhonorandmypositioninEnglishsociety。
　　MALONE。[hotly]Yourpositionhasbeengotbymymoney：doyouknowthat？
　　HECTOR。Well，you’vejustspoileditallbyopeningthatletter。
　　AletterfromanEnglishlady，notaddressedtoyou——aconfidentialletter！adelicateletter！aprivateletteropenedbymyfather！That’sasortofthingamancan’tstruggleagainstinEngland。Thesoonerwegobacktogetherthebetter。[Heappealsmutelytotheheavenstowitnesstheshameandanguishoftwooutcasts]。
　　VIOLET。[snubbinghimwithaninstinctivedislikeforscenemaking]Don’tbeunreasonable，Hector。ItwasquitenaturalofMrMalonetoopenmyletter：hisnamewasontheenvelope。
　　MALONE。There！You’venocommonsense，Hector。Ithankyou，MissRobinson。
　　HECTOR。Ithankyou，too。It’sverykindofyou。Myfatherknowsnobetter。
　　MALONE。[furiouslyclenchinghisfists]Hector——
　　HECTOR。[withundauntedmoralforce]Oh，it’snousehectoringme。Aprivateletter’saprivateletter，dad：youcan’tgetoverthat。
　　MALONE[raisinghisvoice]Iwon’tbetalkedbacktobyyou，d’y’hear？
　　VIOLET。Ssh！please，please。Heretheyallcome。
　　Fatherandson，checked，glaremutelyatoneanotherasTannercomesinthroughthelittlegatewithRamsden，followedbyOctaviusandAnn。
　　VIOLET。Backalready！
　　TANNER。TheAlhambraisnotopenthisafternoon。
　　VIOLET。Whatasell！
　　Tannerpasseson，andpresentlyfindshimselfbetweenHectorandastrangeelder，bothapparentlyonthevergeofpersonalcombat。
　　Helooksfromonetotheotherforanexplanation。Theysulkilyavoidhiseye，andnursetheirwrathinsilence。
　　RAMSDEN。Isitwiseforyoutobeoutinthesunshinewithsuchaheadache，Violet？
　　TANNER。Haveyourecoveredtoo，Malone？
　　VIOLET。Oh，Iforgot。Wehavenotallmetbefore。MrMalone：
　　won’tyouintroduceyourfather？
　　HECTOR。[withRomanfirmness]No，Iwillnot。Heisnofatherofmine。
　　MALONE。[veryangry]YoudisownyourdadbeforeyourEnglishfriends，doyou？
　　VIOLET。Ohpleasedon’tmakeascene。
　　AnnandOctavius，lingeringnearthegate，exchangeanastonishedglance，anddiscreetlywithdrawupthestepstothegarden，wheretheycanenjoythedisturbancewithoutintruding。OntheirwaytothestepsAnnsendsalittlegrimaceofmutesympathytoViolet，whoisstandingwithherbacktothelittletable，lookingoninhelplessannoyanceasherhusbandsoarstohigherandhighermoraleminenceswithouttheleastregardtotheoldman’smillions。
　　HECTOR。I’mverysorry，MissRobinson；butI’mcontendingforaprinciple。Iamason，and，Ihope，adutifulone；butbeforeeverythingI’maMan！！！Andwhendadtreatsmyprivatelettersashisown，andtakesitonhimselftosaythatIshan’tmarryyouifIamhappyandfortunateenoughtogainyourconsent，thenI
　　justsnapmyfingersandgomyownway。
　　TANNER。MarryViolet！
　　RAMSDEN。Areyouinyoursenses？
　　TANNER。Doyouforgetwhatwetoldyou？
　　HECTOR。[recklessly]Idon’tcarewhatyoutoldme。
　　RAMSDEN。[scandalized]Tuttut，sir！Monstrous！[heflingsawaytowardsthegate，hiselbowsquiveringwithindignation]
　　TANNER。Anothermadman！Thesemeninloveshouldbelockedup。
　　[HegivesHectorupashopeless，andturnsawaytowardsthegarden，butMalone，takingoffenceinanewdirection，followshimandcompelshim，bytheaggressivenesofhistone，tostop]。
　　MALONE。Idon’tunderstandthis。IsHectornotgoodenoughforthislady，pray？
　　TANNER。Mydearsir，theladyismarriedalready。Hectorknowsit；andyethepersistsinhisinfatuation。Takehimhomeandlockhimup。
　　MALONE。[bitterly]Sothisisthehigh—bornsocialtoneI’vespoiltbymyignorant，uncultivatedbehavior！Makinlovetoamarriedwoman！[HecomesangrilybetweenHectorandViolet，andalmostbawlsintoHector’sleftear]You’vepickedupthathabitoftheBritisharistocracy，haveyou？
　　HECTOR。That’sallright。Don’tyoutroubleyourselfaboutthat。
　　I’llanswerforthemoralityofwhatI’mdoing。
　　TANNER。[comingforwardtoHector’srighthandwithflashingeyes]Wellsaid，Malone！Youalsoseethatmeremarriagelawsarenotmorality！Iagreewithyou；butunfortunatelyVioletdoesnot。
　　MALONE。Itakeleavetodoubtthat，sir。[TurningonViolet]Letmetellyou，MrsRobinson，orwhateveryourrightnameis，youhadnorighttosendthatlettertomysonwhenyouwerethewifeofanotherman。
　　HECTOR。[outraged]Thisisthelaststraw。Dad：youhaveinsultedmywife。
　　MALONE。YOURwife！
　　TANNER。YOUthemissinghusband！Anothermoralimpostor！[Hesmiteshisbrow，andcollapsesintoMalone’schair]。
　　MALONE。You’vemarriedwithoutmyconsent！
　　RAMSDEN。Youhavedeliberatelyhumbuggedus，sir！
　　HECTOR。Here：Ihavehadjustaboutenoughofbeingbadgered。
　　VioletandIaremarried：that’sthelongandtheshortofit。
　　Nowwhathaveyougottosay——anyofyou？
　　MALONE。IknowwhatI’vegottosay。She’smarriedabeggar。
　　HECTOR。No；she’smarriedaWorker[hisAmericanpronunciationimpartsanoverwhelmingintensitytothissimpleandunpopularword]。Istarttoearnmyownlivingthisveryafternoon。
　　MALONE。[sneeringangrily]Yes：you’reverypluckynow，becauseyougotyourremittancefrommeyesterdayorthismorning，I
　　reckon。Waittilit’sspent。Youwon’tbesofullofcheekthen。
　　HECTOR。[producingaletterfromhispocketbook]Hereitis[thrustingitonhisfather]。Nowyoujusttakeyourremittanceandyourselfoutofmylife。I’mdonewithremittances；andI’mdonewithyou。Idon’tselltheprivilegeofinsultingmywifeforathousanddollars。
　　MALONE。[deeplywoundedandfullofconcern]Hector：youdon’tknowwhatpovertyis。
　　HECTOR。[fervidly]Well，Iwanttoknowwhatitis。Iwant’beaMan。Violet：youcomealongwithme，toyourownhome：I’llseeyouthrough。
　　OCTAVIUS。[jumpingdownfromthegardentothelawnandrunningtoHector’slefthand]Ihopeyou’llshakehandswithmebeforeyougo，Hector。IadmireandrespectyoumorethanIcansay。[Heisaffectedalmosttotearsastheyshakehands]。
　　VIOLET。[alsoalmostintears，butofvexation]Ohdon’tbeanidiot，Tavy。Hector’saboutasfittobecomeaworkmanasyouare。
　　TANNER。[risingfromhischairontheotherrideofHector]Neverfear：there’snoquestionofhisbecominganavvy，MrsMalone。
　　[ToHector]There’sreallynodifficultyaboutcapitaltostartwith。Treatmeasafriend：drawonme。
　　OCTAVIUS。[impulsively]Oronme。
　　MALONE。[withfiercejealousy]Whowantsyourdirtymoney？Whoshouldhedrawonbuthisownfather？[TannerandOctaviusrecoil，Octaviusratherhurt，Tannerconsoledbythesolutionofthemoneydifficulty。Violetlooksuphopefully]。Hector：don’tberash，myboy。I’msorryforwhatIsaid：InevermeanttoinsultViolet：Itakeitallback。She’sjustthewifeyouwant：
　　there！
　　HECTOR。[Pattinghimontheshoulder]Well，that’sallright，dad。Saynomore：we’refriendsagain。Only，Itakenomoneyfromanybody。
　　MALONE。[pleadingabjectly]Don’tbehardonme，Hector。I’dratheryouquarrelledandtookthemoneythanmadefriendsandstarved。Youdon’tknowwhattheworldis：Ido。
　　HECTOR。No，no，NO。That’sfixed：that’snotgoingtochange。[Hepasseshisfatherinexorablyby，andgoestoViolet]。Come，MrsMalone：you’vegottomovetothehotelwithme，andtakeyourproperplacebeforetheworld。
　　VIOLET。ButImustgoin，dear，andtellDavistopack。Won’tyougoonandmakethemgiveyouaroomoverlookingthegardenforme？I’lljoinyouinhalfanhour。
　　HECTOR。Verywell。You’lldinewithus，Dad，won’tyou？
　　MALONE。[eagertoconciliatehim]Yes，yes。
　　HECTOR。Seeyoualllater。[HewaveshishandtoAnn，whohasnowbeenjoinedbyTanner，Octavius，andRamsdeninthegarden，andgoesoutthroughthelittlegate，leavinghisfatherandViolettogetheronthelawn]。
　　MALONE。You’lltrytobringhimtohissenses，Violet：Iknowyouwill。
　　VIOLET。Ihadnoideahecouldbesoheadstrong。Ifhegoesonlikethat，whatcanIdo？
　　MALONE。Don’tbediscurridged：domesticpressuremaybeslow；butit’ssure。You’llwearhimdown。Promisemeyouwill。
　　VIOLET。Iwilldomybest。OfcourseIthinkit’sthegreatestnonsensedeliberatelymakinguspoorlikethat。
　　MALONE。Ofcourseitis。
　　VIOLET。[afteramoment’sreflection]Youhadbettergivemetheremittance。Hewillwantitforhishotelbill。I’llseewhetherIcaninducehimtoacceptit。Notnow，ofcourse，butpresently。
　　MALONE。[eagerly]Yes，yes，yes：that’sjustthething[hehandsherthethousanddollarbill，andaddscunningly]Y’understandthatthisisonlyabachelorallowance。
　　VIOLET。[Coolly]Oh，quite。[Shetakesit]。Thankyou。Bytheway，MrMalone，thosetwohousesyoumentioned——theabbeys。
　　MALONE。Yes？
　　VIOLET。Don’ttakeoneofthemuntilI’veseenit。Oneneverknowswhatmaybewrongwiththeseplaces。
　　MALONE。Iwon’t。I’lldonothingwithoutconsultingyou，neverfear。
　　VIOLET。[politely，butwithoutarayofgratitude]Thanks：thatwillbemuchthebestway。[Shegoescalmlybacktothevilla，escortedobsequiouslybyMalonetotheupperendofthegarden]。
　　TANNER。[drawingRamsden’sattentiontoMalone’scringingattitudeashetakesleaveofViolet]Andthatpoordevilisabillionaire！oneofthemasterspiritsoftheage！Ledonastringlikeapugdogbythefirstgirlwhotakesthetroubletodespisehim。Iwonderwillitevercometothatwithme。[Hecomesdowntothelawn。]
　　RAMSDEN。[followinghim]Thesoonerthebetterforyou。
　　MALONE。[clappinghishandsashereturnsthroughthegarden]
　　That’llbeagrandwomanforHector。Iwouldn’texchangeherfortenduchesses。[HedescendstothelawnandcomesbetweenTannerandRamsden]。
　　RAMSDEN。[veryciviltothebillionaire]It’sanunexpectedpleasuretofindyouinthiscorneroftheworld，MrMalone。HaveyoucometobuyuptheAlhambra？
　　MALONE。Well，Idon’tsayImightn’t。IthinkIcoulddobetterwithitthantheSpanishgovernment。Butthat’snotwhatIcameabout。Totellyouthetruth，aboutamonthagoIoverheardadealbetweentwomenoverabundleofshares。Theydifferedabouttheprice：theywereyoungandgreedy，anddidn’tknowthatiftheshareswereworthwhatwasbidforthemtheymustbeworthwhatwasasked，themarginbeingtoosmalltobeofanyaccount，yousee。Toamusemeself，Icutinandboughttheshares。Well，tothisdayIhaven’tfoundoutwhatthebusinessis。Theofficeisinthistown；andthenameisMendoza，Limited。NowwhetherMendoza’samine，orasteamboatline，orabank，orapatentarticle——
　　TANNER。He’saman。Iknowhim：hisprinciplesarethoroughlycommercial。Letustakeyouroundthetowninourmotor，MrMalone，andcallonhimontheway。
　　MALONE。Ifyou’llbesokind，yes。AndmayIaskwho——
　　TANNER。MrRoebuckRamsden，averyoldfriendofyourdaughter—in—law。
　　MALONE。Happytomeetyou，MrRamsden。
　　RAMSDEN。Thankyou。MrTannerisalsooneofourcircle。
　　MALONE。Gladtoknowyoualso，MrTanner。
　　TANNER。Thanks。[MaloneandRamsdengooutveryamicablythroughthelittlegate。TannercallstoOctavius，whoiswanderinginthegardenwithAnn]Tavy！[Tavycomestothesteps，Tannerwhispersloudlytohim]Violethasmarriedafinancierofbrigands。[TannerhurriesawaytoovertakeMaloneandRamsden。
　　AnnstrollstothestepswithanidleimpulsetotormentOctavius]。
　　ANN。Won’tyougowiththem，Tavy？
　　OCTAVIUS。[tearssuddenlyflushinghiseyes]Youcutmetotheheart，Ann，bywantingmetogo[hecomesdownonthelawntohidehisfacefromher。Shefollowshimcaressingly]。
　　ANN。PoorRickyTickyTavy！Poorheart！
　　OCTAVIUS。Itbelongstoyou，Ann。Forgiveme：Imustspeakofit。
　　Iloveyou。YouknowIloveyou。
　　ANN。What’sthegood，Tavy？YouknowthatmymotherisdeterminedthatIshallmarryJack。
　　OCTAVIUS。[amazed]Jack！
　　ANN。Itseemsabsurd，doesn’tit？
　　OCTAVIUS。[withgrowingresentment]DoyoumeantosaythatJackhasbeenplayingwithmeallthistime？Thathehasbeenurgingmenottomarryyoubecauseheintendstomarryyouhimself？
　　ANN。[alarmed]Nono：youmustn’tleadhimtobelievethatIsaidthat：Idon’tforamomentthinkthatJackknowshisownmind。
　　Butit’sclearfrommyfather’swillthathewishedmetomarryJack。Andmymotherissetonit。
　　OCTAVIUS。Butyouarenotboundtosacrificeyourselfalwaystothewishesofyourparents。
　　ANN。Myfatherlovedme。Mymotherlovesme。Surelytheirwishesareabetterguidethanmyownselfishness。
　　OCTAVIUS。Oh，Iknowhowunselfishyouare，Ann。Butbelieveme——
　　thoughIknowIamspeakinginmyowninterest——thereisanothersidetothisquestion。IsitfairtoJacktomarryhimifyoudonotlovehim？Isitfairtodestroymyhappinessaswellasyourownifyoucanbringyourselftoloveme？
　　ANN。[lookingathimwithafaintimpulseofpity]Tavy，mydear，youareanicecreature——agoodboy。
　　OCTAVIUS。[humiliated]Isthatall？
　　ANN。[mischievouslyinspiteofherpity]That’sagreatdeal，I
　　assureyou。YouwouldalwaysworshipthegroundItrodon，wouldn’tyou？
　　OCTAVIUS。Ido。Itsoundsridiculous；butit’snoexaggeration。I
　　do；andIalwaysshall。
　　ANN。Alwaysisalongword，Tavy。Yousee，Ishallhavetoliveupalwaystoyourideaofmydivinity；andIdon’tthinkIcoulddothatifweweremarried。ButifImarryJack，you’llneverbedisillusioned——atleastnotuntilIgrowtooold。
　　OCTAVIUS。Itooshallgrowold，Ann。AndwhenIameighty，onewhitehairofthewomanIlovewillmakemetremblemorethanthethickestgoldtressfromthemostbeautifulyounghead。
　　ANN。[quitetouched]Oh，that’spoetry，Tavy，realpoetry。Itgivesmethatstrangesuddensenseofanechofromaformerexistencewhichalwaysseemstomesuchastrikingproofthatwehaveimmortalsouls。
　　OCTAVIUS。Doyoubelievethatistrue？
　　ANN。Tavy，ifitistobecometrueyoumustlosemeaswellasloveme。
　　OCTAVIUS。Oh！[hehastilysitsdownatthelittletableandcovershisfacewithhishands]。
　　ANN。[withconviction]Tavy：Iwouldn’tforworldsdestroyyourillusions。Icanneithertakeyounorletyougo。Icanseeexactlywhatwillsuityou。Youmustbeasentimentaloldbachelorformysake。
　　OCTAVIUS。[desperately]Ann：I’llkillmyself。
　　ANN。Ohnoyouwon’t：thatwouldn’tbekind。Youwon’thaveabadtime。Youwillbeverynicetowomen；andyouwillgoagooddealtotheopera。AbrokenheartisaverypleasantcomplaintforamaninLondonifhehasacomfortableincome。
　　OCTAVIUS。[considerablycooled，butbelievingthatheisonlyrecoveringhisself—control]Iknowyoumeantobekind，Ann。
　　Jackhaspersuadedyouthatcynicismisagoodtonicforme。[Heriseswithquietdignity]。
　　ANN。[studyinghimslyly]Yousee，I’mdisillusionizingyoualready。That’swhatIdread。
　　OCTAVIUS。YoudonotdreaddisillusionizingJack。
　　ANN。[herfacelightingupwithmischievousecstasy——whispering]I
　　can’t：hehasnoillusionsaboutme。IshallsurpriseJacktheotherway。Gettingoveranunfavorableimpressioniseversomucheasierthanlivinguptoanideal。Oh，IshallenraptureJacksometimes！
　　OCTAVIUS。[resumingthecalmphaseofdespair，andbeginningtoenjoyhisbrokenheartanddelicateattitudewithoutknowingit]
　　Idon’tdoubtthat。Youwillenrapturehimalways。Andhe——thefool！——thinksyouwouldmakehimwretched。
　　ANN。Yes：that’sthedifficulty，sofar。
　　OCTAVIUS。[heroically]ShallItellhimthatyoulove？
　　ANN。[quickly]Ohno：he’drunawayagain。
　　OCTAVIUS。[shocked]Ann：wouldyoumarryanunwillingman？
　　ANN。Whataqueercreatureyouare，Tavy！There’snosuchthingasawillingmanwhenyoureallygoforhim。[Shelaughsnaughtily]。I’mshockingyou，Isuppose。Butyouknowyouarereallygettingasortofsatisfactionalreadyinbeingoutofdangeryourself。
　　OCTAVIUS[startled]Satisfaction！[Reproachfully]Yousaythattome！
　　ANN。Well，ifitwerereallyagony，wouldyouaskformoreofit？
　　OCTAVIUS。HaveIaskedformoreofit？
　　ANN。YouhaveofferedtotellJackthatIlovehim。That’sself—sacrifice，Isuppose；buttheremustbesomesatisfactioninit。Perhapsit’sbecauseyou’reapoet。Youarelikethebirdthatpressesitsbreastagainstthesharpthorntomakeitselfsing。
　　OCTAVIUS。It’squitesimple。Iloveyou；andIwantyoutobehappy。Youdon’tloveme；soIcan’tmakeyouhappymyself；butI
　　canhelpanothermantodoit。
　　ANN。Yes：itseemsquitesimple。ButIdoubtifweeverknowwhywedothings。Theonlyreallysimplethingistogostraightforwhatyouwantandgrabit。IsupposeIdon’tloveyou，Tavy；butsometimesIfeelasifIshouldliketomakeamanofyousomehow。Youareveryfoolishaboutwomen。
　　OCTAVIUS。[almostcoldly]IamcontenttobewhatIaminthatrespect。
　　ANN。Thenyoumustkeepawayfromthem，andonlydreamaboutthem。Iwouldn’tmarryyouforworlds，Tavy。
　　OCTAVIUS。Ihavenohope，Ann：Iacceptmyillluck。ButIdon’tthinkyouquiteknowhowmuchithurts。
　　ANN。Youaresosofthearted！It’squeerthatyoushouldbesodifferentfromViolet。Violet’sashardasnails。
　　OCTAVIUS。Ohno。IamsureVioletisthoroughlywomanlyatheart。
　　ANN。[withsomeimpatience]Whydoyousaythat？Isitunwomanlytobethoughtfulandbusinesslikeandsensible？DoyouwantViolettobeanidiot——orsomethingworse，likeme？
　　OCTAVIUS。Somethingworse——likeyou！Whatdoyoumean，Ann？
　　ANN。Ohwell，Idon’tmeanthat，ofcourse。ButIhaveagreatrespectforViolet。Shegetsherownwayalways。
　　OCTAVIUS。[sighing]Sodoyou。
　　ANN。Yes；butsomehowshegetsitwithoutcoaxing——withouthavingtomakepeoplesentimentalabouther。
　　OCTAVIUS。[withbrotherlycallousness]NobodycouldgetverysentimentalaboutViolet，Ithink，prettyassheis。
　　ANN。Ohyestheycould，ifshemadethem。
　　OCTAVIUS。Butsurelynoreallynicewomanwoulddeliberatelypractiseonmen’sinstinctsinthatway。
　　ANN。[throwingupherhands]OhTavy，Tavy，RickyTickyTavy，heavenhelpthewomanwhomarriesyou！
　　OCTAVIUS。[hispassionrevivingatthename]Ohwhy，why，whydoyousaythat？Don’ttormentme。Idon’tunderstand。
　　ANN。Supposesheweretotellfibs，andlaysnaresformen？
　　OCTAVIUS。DoyouthinkIcouldmarrysuchawoman——I，whohaveknownandlovedyou？
　　ANN。Hm！Well，atallevents，shewouldn’tletyouifshewerewise。Sothat’ssettled。AndnowIcan’ttalkanymore。Sayyouforgiveme，andthatthesubjectisclosed。
　　OCTAVIUS。Ihavenothingtoforgive；andthesubjectisclosed。
　　Andifthewoundisopen，atleastyoushallneverseeitbleed。
　　ANN。Poetictothelast，Tavy。Goodbye，dear。[Shepatshischeck；hasanimpulsetokisshimandthenanotherimpulseofdistastewhichpreventsher；finallyrunsawaythroughthegardenandintothevilla]。
　　Octaviusagaintakesrefugeatthetable，bowinghisheadonhisarmsandsobbingsoftly。MrsWhitefield，whohasbeenpotteringroundtheGranadashops，andhasanetfulloflittleparcelsinherhand，comesinthroughthegateandseeshim。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[runningtohimandliftinghishead]What’sthematter，Tavy？Areyouill？
　　OCTAVIUS。No，nothing，nothing。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[stillholdinghishead，anxiously]Butyou’recrying。IsitaboutViolet’smarriage？
　　OCTAVIUS。No，no。WhotoldyouaboutViolet？
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[restoringtheheadtoitsowner]ImetRoebuckandthatawfuloldIrishman。Areyousureyou’renotill？What’sthematter？
　　OCTAVIUS。[affectionately]It’snothing——onlyaman’sbrokenheart。Doesn’tthatsoundridiculous？
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Butwhatisitallabout？HasAnnbeendoinganythingtoyou？
　　OCTAVIUS。It’snotAnn’sfault。Anddon’tthinkforamomentthatIblameyou。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[startled]Forwhat？
　　OCTAVIUS。[pressingherhandconsolingly]Fornothing。IsaidI
　　didn’tblameyou。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。ButIhaven’tdoneanything。What’sthematter？
　　OCTAVIUS。[smilingsadly]Can’tyouguess？IdaresayyouarerighttopreferJacktomeasahusbandforAnn；butIloveAnn；
　　andithurtsrather。[Herisesandmovesawayfromhertowardsthemiddleofthelawn]。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[followinghimhastily]DoesAnnsaythatIwanthertomarryJack？
　　OCTAVIUS。Yes：shehastoldme。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[thoughtfully]ThenI’mverysorryforyou，Tavy。
　　It’sonlyherwayofsayingSHEwantstomarryJack。LittleshecareswhatIsayorwhatIwant！
　　OCTAVIUS。Butshewouldnotsayitunlessshebelievedit。Surelyyoudon’tsuspectAnnof——ofDECEIT！！
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Well，nevermind，Tavy。Idon’tknowwhichisbestforayoungman：toknowtoolittle，likeyou，ortoomuch，likeJack。
　　Tannerreturns。
　　TANNER。Well，I’vedisposedofoldMalone。I’veintroducedhimtoMendoza，Limited；andleftthetwobrigandstogethertotalkitout。Hullo，Tavy！anythingwrong？
　　OCTAVIUS。Imustgowashmyface，Isee。[ToMrsWhitefield]Tellhimwhatyouwish。[ToTanner]Youmaytakeitfromme，Jack，thatAnnapprovesofit。
　　TANNER。[puzzledbyhismanner]Approvesofwhat？
　　OCTAVIUS。OfwhatMrsWhitefieldwishes。[Hegoeshiswaywithsaddignitytothevilla]。
　　TANNER。[toMrsWhitefield]Thisisverymysterious。Whatisityouwish？Itshallbedone，whateveritis。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[withsnivellinggratitude]Thankyou，Jack。[Shesitsdown。Tannerbringstheotherchairfromthetableandsitsclosetoherwithhiselbowsonhisknees，givingherhiswholeattention]。Idon’tknowwhyitisthatotherpeople’schildrenaresonicetome，andthatmyownhavesolittleconsiderationforme。It’snowonderIdon’tseemabletocareforAnnandRhodaasIdoforyouandTavyandViolet。It’saveryqueerworld。Itusedtobesostraightforwardandsimple；andnownobodyseemstothinkandfeelastheyought。NothinghasbeenrightsincethatspeechthatProfessorTyndallmadeatBelfast。
　　TANNER。Yes：lifeismorecomplicatedthanweusedtothink。ButwhatamItodoforyou？
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。That’sjustwhatIwanttotellyou。Ofcourseyou’llmarryAnnwhetherIlikeitmyselfornot——
　　TANNER。[starting]ItseemstomethatIshallpresentlybemarriedtoAnnwhetherIlikeitmyselfornot。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[peacefully]Oh，verylikelyyouwill：youknowwhatsheiswhenshehassethermindonanything。Butdon’tputitonme：that’sallIask。Tavyhasjustletoutthatshe’sbeensayingthatIammakinghermarryyou；andthepoorboyisbreakinghisheartaboutit；forheisinlovewithherhimself，thoughwhatheseesinhersowonderful，goodnessknows：Idon’t。
　　It’snousetellingTavythatAnnputsthingsintopeople’sheadsbytellingthemthatIwantthemwhenthethoughtofthemnevercrossedmymind。ItonlysetsTavyagainstme。Butyouknowbetterthanthat。Soifyoumarryher，don’tputtheblameonme。
　　TANNER。[emphatically]Ihaven’ttheslightestintentionofmarryingher。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[slyly]She’dsuityoubetterthanTavy。She’dmeethermatchinyou，Jack。I’dliketoseehermeethermatch。
　　TANNER。Nomanisamatchforawoman，exceptwithapokerandapairofhobnailedboots。Notalwayseventhen。Anyhow，Ican’ttakethepokertoher。Ishouldbeamereslave。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。No：she’safraidofyou。Atallevents，youwouldtellherthetruthaboutherself。Shewouldn’tbeabletoslipoutofitasshedoeswithme。
　　TANNER。EverybodywouldcallmeabruteifItoldAnnthetruthaboutherselfintermsofherownmoralcode。Tobeginwith，Annsaysthingsthatarenotstrictlytrue。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。I’mgladsomebodyseessheisnotanangel。
　　TANNER。Inshort——toputitasahusbandwouldputitwhenexasperatedtothepointofspeakingout——sheisaliar。AndsinceshehasplungedTavyheadoverearsinlovewithherwithoutanyintentionofmarryinghim，sheisacoquette，accordingtothestandarddefinitionofacoquetteasawomanwhorousespassionsshehasnointentionofgratifying。Andasshehasnowreducedyoutothepointofbeingwillingtosacrificemeatthealtarforthemeresatisfactionofgettingmetocallheraliartoherface，Imayconcludethatsheisabullyaswell。
　　Shecan’tbullymenasshebullieswomen；soshehabituallyandunscrupulouslyusesherpersonalfascinationtomakemengiveherwhatevershewants。ThatmakesheralmostsomethingforwhichI
　　knownopolitename。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[inmildexpostulation]Well，youcan’texpectperfection，Jack。
　　TANNER。Idon’t。ButwhatannoysmeisthatAnndoes。Iknowperfectlywellthatallthisaboutherbeingaliarandabullyandacoquetteandsoforthisatrumped—upmoralindictmentwhichmightbebroughtagainstanybody。Wealllie；weallbullyasmuchaswedare；weallbidforadmirationwithouttheleastintentionofearningit；weallgetasmuchrentaswecanoutofourpowersoffascination。IfAnnwouldadmitthisIshouldn’tquarrelwithher。Butshewon’t。Ifshehaschildrenshe’lltakeadvantageoftheirtellingliestoamuseherselfbywhackingthem。Ifanotherwomanmakeseyesatme，she’llrefusetoknowacoquette。Shewilldojustwhatshelikesherselfwhilstinsistingoneverybodyelsedoingwhattheconventionalcodeprescribes。Inshort，Icanstandeverythingexceptherconfoundedhypocrisy。That’swhatbeatsme。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[carriedawaybythereliefofhearingherownopinionsoeloquentlyexpressed]Oh，sheisahypocrite。Sheis：
　　sheis。Isn’tshe？
　　TANNER。Thenwhydoyouwanttomarrymetoher？
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[querulously]Therenow！putitonme，ofcourse。
　　IneverthoughtofituntilTavytoldmeshesaidIdid。But，youknow，I’mveryfondofTavy：he’sasortofsontome；andI
　　don’twanthimtobetrampledonandmadewretched。
　　TANNER。WhereasIdon’tmatter，Isuppose。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Oh，youaredifferent，somehow：youareabletotakecareofyourself。You’dserveherout。Andanyhow，shemustmarrysomebody。
　　TANNER。Aha！therespeaksthelifeinstinct。Youdetesther；butyoufeelthatyoumustgethermarried。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[rising，shocked]DoyoumeanthatIdetestmyowndaughter！Surelyyoudon’tbelievemetobesowickedandunnaturalasthat，merelybecauseIseeherfaults。
　　TANNER。[cynically]Youloveher，then？
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Why，ofcourseIdo。Whatqueerthingsyousay，Jack！Wecan’thelplovingourownbloodrelations。
　　TANNER。Well，perhapsitsavesunpleasantnesstosayso。Butformypart，Isuspectthatthetablesofconsanguinityhaveanaturalbasisinanaturalrepugnance[herises]。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Youshouldn’tsaythingslikethat，Jack。Ihopeyouwon’ttellAnnthatIhavebeenspeakingtoyou。IonlywantedtosetmyselfrightwithyouandTavy。Icouldn’tsitmumchanceandhaveeverythingputonme。
　　TANNER。[politely]Quiteso。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[dissatisfied]AndnowI’veonlymademattersworse。Tavy’sangrywithmebecauseIdon’tworshipAnn。Andwhenit’sbeenputintomyheadthatAnnoughttomarryyou，whatcanIsayexceptthatitwouldserveherright？
　　TANNER。Thankyou。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Nowdon’tbesillyandtwistwhatIsayintosomethingIdon’tmean。Ioughttohavefairplay——
　　Anncomesfromthevilla，followedpresentlybyViolet，whoisdressedfordriving。
　　ANN。[comingtohermother’srighthandwiththreateningsuavity]
　　Well，mammadarling，youseemtobehavingadelightfulchatwithJack。Wecanhearyouallovertheplace。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[appalled]Haveyouoverheard——
　　TANNER。Neverfear：Annisonly——well，wewerediscussingthathabitofhersjustnow。Shehasn’theardaword。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[stoutly]Idon’tcarewhethershehasornot：I
　　havearighttosaywhatIplease。
　　VIOLET。[arrivingonthelawnandcomingbetweenMrsWhitefieldandTanner]I’vecometosaygoodbye。I’moffformyhoneymoon。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[crying]Ohdon’tsaythat，Violet。Andnowedding，nobreakfast，noclothes，noranything。
　　VIOLET。[pettingher]Itwon’tbeforlong。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Don’tlethimtakeyoutoAmerica。Promisemethatyouwon’t。
　　VIOLET。[verydecidedly]Ishouldthinknot，indeed。Don’tcry，dear：I’monlygoingtothehotel。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Butgoinginthatdress，withyourluggage，makesonerealize——[shechokes，andthenbreaksoutagain]HowIwishyouweremydaughter，Violet！
　　VIOLET。[soothingher]There，there：soIam。Annwillbejealous。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Anndoesn’tcareabitforme。
　　ANN。Fie，mother！Come，now：youmustn’tcryanymore：youknowVioletdoesn’tlikeit[MrsWhitefzelddrieshereyes，andsubsides]。
　　VIOLET。Goodbye，Jack。
　　TANNER。Goodbye，Violet。
　　VIOLET。Thesooneryougetmarriedtoo，thebetter。Youwillbemuchlessmisunderstood。
　　TANNER。[restively]Iquiteexpecttogetmarriedinthecourseoftheafternoon。Youallseemtohavesetyourmindsonit。
　　VIOLET。Youmightdoworse。[ToMrsWhitefield：puttingherarmroundher]Letmetakeyoutothehotelwithme：thedrivewilldoyougood。Comeinandgetawrap。[Shetakeshertowardsthevilla]。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。[astheygoupthroughthegarden]Idon’tknowwhatIshalldowhenyouaregone，withnoonebutAnninthehouse；andshealwaysoccupiedwiththemen！It’snottobeexpectedthatyourhusbandwillcaretobebotheredwithanoldwomanlikeme。Oh，youneedn’ttellme：politenessisallverywell；butIknowwhatpeoplethink——[ShetalksherselfandVioletoutofsightandhearing]。
　　Ann，musingonViolet’sopportuneadvice，approachesTanner；
　　examineshimhumorouslyforamomentfromtoetotop；andfinallydeliversheropinion。
　　ANN。Violetisquiteright。Yououghttogetmarried。
　　TANNER。[explosively]Ann：Iwillnotmarryyou。Doyouhear？I
　　won’t，won’t，won’t，won’t，WON’Tmarryyou。
　　ANN。[placidly]Well，nobodyaxdyou，sirshesaid，sirshesaid，sirshesaid。Sothat’ssettled。
　　TANNER。Yes，nobodyhasaskedme；buteverybodytreatsthethingassettled。It’sintheair。Whenwemeet，theothersgoawayonabsurdpretextstoleaveusalonetogether。Ramsdennolongerscowlsatme：hiseyebeams，asifhewerealreadygivingyouawaytomeinchurch。Tavyrefersmetoyourmotherandgivesmehisblessing。Strakeropenlytreatsyouashisfutureemployer：
　　itwashewhofirsttoldmeofit。
　　ANN。Wasthatwhyyouranaway？
　　TANNER。Yes，onlytobestoppedbyalovesickbrigandandrundownlikeatruantschoolboy。
　　ANN。Well，ifyoudon’twanttobemarried，youneedn’tbe[sheturnsawayfromhimandsitsdown，muchatherease]。
　　TANNER。[followingher]Doesanymanwanttobehanged？Yetmenletthemselvesbehangedwithoutastruggleforlife，thoughtheycouldatleastgivethechaplainablackeye。Wedotheworld’swill，notourown。IhaveafrightfulfeelingthatIshallletmyselfbemarriedbecauseitistheworld’swillthatyoushouldhaveahusband。
　　ANN。IdaresayIshall，someday。
　　TANNER。Butwhyme——meofallmen？Marriageistomeapostasy，profanationofthesanctuaryofmysoul，violationofmymanhood，saleofmybirthright，shamefulsurrender，ignominiouscapitulation，acceptanceofdefeat。Ishalldecaylikeathingthathasserveditspurposeandisdonewith；Ishallchangefromamanwithafuturetoamanwithapast；Ishallseeinthegreasyeyesofalltheotherhusbandstheirreliefatthearrivalofanewprisonertosharetheirignominy。Theyoungmenwillscornmeasonewhohassoldout：totheyoungwomenI，whohavealwaysbeenanenigmaandapossibility，shallbemerelysomebodyelse’sproperty——anddamagedgoodsatthat：asecondhandmanatbest。
　　ANN。Well，yourwifecanputonacapandmakeherselfuglytokeepyouincountenance，likemygrandmother。
　　TANNER。Sothatshemaymakehertriumphmoreinsolentbypubliclythrowingawaythebaitthemomentthetrapsnapsonthevictim！
　　ANN。Afterall，though，whatdifferencewoulditmake？Beautyisallverywellatfirstsight；butwhoeverlooksatitwhenithasbeeninthehousethreedays？Ithoughtourpicturesverylovelywhenpapaboughtthem；butIhaven’tlookedatthemforyears。Youneverbotheraboutmylooks：youaretoowellusedtome。Imightbetheumbrellastand。
　　TANNER。Youlie，youvampire：youlie。
　　ANN。Flatterer。Whyareyoutryingtofascinateme，Jack，ifyoudon’twanttomarryme？
　　TANNER。TheLifeForce。IaminthegripoftheLifeForce。
　　ANN。Idon’tunderstandintheleast：itsoundsliketheLifeGuards。
　　TANNER。Whydon’tyoumarryTavy？Heiswilling。Canyounotbesatisfiedunlessyourpreystruggles？
　　ANN。[turningtohimasiftolethimintoasecret]Tavywillnevermarry。Haven’tyounoticedthatthatsortofmannevermarries？
　　TANNER。What！amanwhoidolizeswomenwhoseesnothinginnaturebutromanticsceneryforloveduets！Tavy，thechivalrous，thefaithful，thetenderheartedandtrue！Tavynevermarry！Why，hewasborntobesweptupbythefirstpairofblueeyeshemeetsinthestreet。
　　ANN。Yes，Iknow。Allthesame，Jack，menlikethatalwaysliveincomfortablebachelorlodgingswithbrokenhearts，andareadoredbytheirlandladies，andnevergetmarried。Menlikeyoualwaysgetmarried。
　　TANNER。[Smitinghisbrow]Howfrightfully，horriblytrue！Ithasbeenstaringmeinthefaceallmylife；andIneversawitbefore。
　　ANN。Oh，it’sthesamewithwomen。Thepoetictemperament’saverynicetemperament，veryamiable，veryharmlessandpoetic，I
　　daresay；butit’sanoldmaid’stemperament。
　　TANNER。Barren。TheLifeForcepassesitby。
　　ANN。Ifthat’swhatyoumeanbytheLifeForce，yes。
　　TANNER。Youdon’tcareforTavy？
　　ANN。[lookingroundcarefullytomakesurethatTavyisnotwithinearshot]No。
　　TANNER。Andyoudocareforme？
　　ANN。[risingquietlyandshakingherfingerathim]NowJack！
　　Behaveyourself。
　　TANNER。Infamous，abandonedwoman！Devil！
　　ANN。Boa—constrictor！Elephant！
　　TANNER。Hypocrite！
　　ANN。[Softly]Imustbe，formyfuturehusband’ssake。
　　TANNER。Formine！[Correctinghimselfsavagely]Imeanforhis。
　　ANN。[ignoringthecorrection]Yes，foryours。Youhadbettermarrywhatyoucallahypocrite，Jack。Womenwhoarenothypocritesgoaboutinrationaldressandareinsultedandgetintoallsortsofhotwater。Andthentheirhusbandsgetdraggedintoo，andliveincontinualdreadoffreshcomplications。
　　Wouldn’tyoupreferawifeyoucoulddependon？
　　TANNER。No，athousandtimesno：hotwateristherevolutionist’selement。Youcleanmenasyoucleanmilkpails，byscaldingthem。
　　ANN。Coldwaterhasitsusestoo。It’shealthy。
　　TANNER。[despairingly]Oh，youarewitty：atthesuprememomenttheLifeForceendowsyouwitheveryquality。Well，Itoocanbeahypocrite。Yourfather’swillappointedmeyourguardian，notyoursuitor。Ishallbefaithfultomytrust。
　　ANN。[inlowsirentones]HeaskedmewhowouldIhaveasmyguardianbeforehemadethatwill。Ichoseyou！
　　TANNER。Thewillisyoursthen！Thetrapwaslaidfromthebeginning。
　　ANN。[concentratingallhermagic]Fromthebeginningfromourchildhood——forbothofus——bytheLifeForce。
　　TANNER。Iwillnotmarryyou。Iwillnotmarryyou。
　　ANN。Oh；youwill，youwill。
　　TANNER。Itellyou，no，no，no。
　　ANN。Itellyou，yes，yes，yes。
　　TANNER。NO。
　　ANN。[coaxing——imploring——almostexhausted]Yes。Beforeitistoolateforrepentance。Yes。
　　TANNER。[struckbytheechofromthepast]Whendidallthishappentomebefore？Arewetwodreaming？
　　ANN。[suddenlylosinghercourage，withananguishthatshedoesnotconceal]No。Weareawake；andyouhavesaidno：thatisall。
　　TANNER。[brutally]Well？
　　ANN。Well，Imadeamistake：youdonotloveme。
　　TANNER。[seizingherinhisarms]Itisfalse：Iloveyou。TheLifeForceenchantsme：IhavethewholeworldinmyarmswhenI
　　claspyou。ButIamfightingformyfreedom，formyhonor，formyself，oneandindivisible。
　　ANN。Yourhappinesswillbeworththemall。
　　TANNER。Youwouldsellfreedomandhonorandselfforhappiness？
　　ANN。Itwillnotbeallhappinessforme。Perhapsdeath。
　　TANNER。[groaning]Oh，thatclutchholdsandhurts。Whathaveyougraspedinme？Isthereafather’sheartaswellasamother’s？
　　ANN。Takecare，Jack：ifanyonecomeswhilewearelikethis，youwillhavetomarryme。
　　TANNER。Ifwetwostoodnowontheedgeofaprecipice，Iwouldholdyoutightandjump。
　　ANN。[panting，failingmoreandmoreunderthestrain]Jack：letmego。Ihavedaredsofrightfully——itislastinglongerthanI
　　thought。Letmego：Ican’tbearit。
　　TANNER。NorI。Letitkillus。
　　ANN。Yes：Idon’tcare。Iamattheendofmyforces。Idon’tcare。IthinkIamgoingtofaint。
　　AtthismomentVioletandOctaviuscomefromthevillawithMrsWhitefield，whoiswrappedupfordriving。SimultaneouslyMaloneandRamsden，followedbyMendozaandStraker，comeinthroughthelittlegateinthepaling。TannershamefacedlyreleasesAnn，whoraisesherhandgiddilytoherforehead。
　　MALONE。Takecare。Something’sthematterwiththelady。
　　RAMSDEN。Whatdoesthismean？
　　VIOLET。[runningbetweenAnnandTanner]Areyouill？
　　ANN。[reeling，withasupremeeffort]IhavepromisedtomarryJack。[Sheswoons。Violetkneelsbyherandchafesherband。
　　Tannerrunsroundtoherotherhand，andtriestoliftherbead。
　　OctaviusgoestoViolet’sassistance，butdoesnotknowwhattodo。MrsWhitefieldhurriesbackintothevilla。Octavius，MaloneandRamsdenruntoAnnandcrowdroundher，stoopingtoassist。
　　StrakercoollycomestoAnn’sfeet，andMendozatoherhead，bothuprightandself—possessed]。
　　STRAKER。Nowthen，ladiesandgentlemen：shedon’twantacrowdroundher：shewantsair——alltheairshecangit。Ifyouplease，gents——[MaloneandRamsdenallowhimtodrivethemgentlypastAnnandupthelawntowardsthegarden，whereOctavius，whohasalreadybecomeconsciousofhisuselessness，joinsthem。Straker，followingthemup，pausesforamomenttoinstructTanner]。Don’tliftered，MrTanner：letitgoflatso’sthebloodcanrunbackintoit。
　　MENDOZA。Heisright，MrTanner。TrusttotheairoftheSierra。
　　[Hewithdrawsdelicatelytothegardensteps]。
　　TANNER。[rising]Iyieldtoyoursuperiorknowledgeofphysiology，Henry。[Hewithdrawstothecornerofthelawn；andOctaviusimmediatelyhurriesdowntohim]。
　　TAVY。[asidetoTanner，graspinghishand]Jack：beveryhappy。
　　TANNER。[asidetoTavy]Ineveraskedher。Itisatrapforme。
　　[Hegoesupthelawntowardsthegarden。Octaviusremainspetrified]。
　　MENDOZA。[interceptingMrsWhitefield，whocomesfromthevillawithaglassofbrandy]Whatisthis，madam[hetakesitfromher]？
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Alittlebrandy。
　　MENDOZA。Theworstthingyoucouldgiveher。Allowme。[Heswallowsit]。TrusttotheairoftheSierra，madam。
　　ForamomentthemenallforgetAnnandstareatMendoza。
　　ANN。[inViolet’sear，clutchingherroundtheneck]Violet，didJacksayanythingwhenIfainted？
　　VIOLET。No。
　　ANN。Ah！[withasighofintensereliefsherelapses]。
　　MRSWHITEFIELD。Oh，she’sfaintedagain。
　　Theyareabouttorushbacktoher；butMendozastopsthemwithawarninggesture。
　　ANN。[supinejNoIhaven’t。I’mquitehappy。
　　TANNER。[suddenlywalkingdeterminedlytoher，andsnatchingherhandfromViolettofeelherpulse]Why，herpulseispositivelybounding。Come，getup。Whatnonsense！Upwithyou。[Hegetsherupsummarily]。
　　ANN。Yes：Ifeelstrongenoughnow。Butyouverynearlykilledme，Jack，forallthat。
　　MALONE。Aroughwooer，eh？They’rethebestsort，MissWhitefield。IcongratulateMrTanner；andIhopetomeetyouandhimasfrequentguestsattheAbbey。
　　ANN。Thankyou。[ShegoespastMalonetoOctavius]RickyTickyTavy：congratulateme。[Asidetohim]Iwanttomakeyoucryforthelasttime。
　　TAVY。[steadfastly]Nomoretears。Iamhappyinyourhappiness。
　　AndIbelieveinyouinspiteofeverything。
　　RAMSDEN。[comingbetweenMaloneandTanner]Youareahappyman，JackTanner。Ienvyyou。
　　MENDOZA。[advancingbetweenVioletandTanner]Sir：therearetwotragediesinlife。Oneisnottogetyourheart’sdesire。Theotheristogetit。Mineandyours，sir。
　　TANNER。MrMendoza：Ihavenoheart’sdesires。Ramsden：itisveryeasyforyoutocallmeahappyman：youareonlyaspectator。Iamoneoftheprincipals；andIknowbetter。Ann：
　　stoptemptingTavy，andcomebacktome。
　　ANN。[complying]Youareabsurd，Jack。[Shetakeshisprofferedarm]。
　　TANNER。[continuing]IsolemnlysaythatIamnotahappyman。
　　Annlookshappy；butsheisonlytriumphant，successful，victorious。Thatisnothappiness，butthepriceforwhichthestrongselltheirhappiness。Whatwehavebothdonethisafternoonistorenouncetranquillity，aboveallrenouncetheromanticpossibilitiesofanunknownfuture，forthecaresofahouseholdandafamily。Ibegthatnomanmayseizetheoccasiontogethalfdrunkandutterimbecilespeechesandcoarsepleasantriesatmyexpense。Weproposetofurnishourownhouseaccordingtoourowntaste；andIherebygivenoticethatthesevenoreighttravellingclocks，thefourorfivedressingcases，thesaladbowls，thecarversandfishslices，thecopyofTennysoninextramorocco，andalltheotherarticlesyouarepreparingtoheapuponus，willbeinstantlysold，andtheproceedsdevotedtocirculatingfreecopiesoftheRevolutionist’sHandbook。TheweddingwilltakeplacethreedaysafterourreturntoEngland，byspeciallicense，attheofficeofthedistrictsuperintendentregistrar，inthepresenceofmysolicitorandhisclerk，who，likehisclients，willbeinordinarywalkingdress。
　　VIOLET。[withintenseconviction]Youareabrute，Jack。
　　ANN。（lookingathimwithfondprideandcaressinghisarm]Nevermindher，dear。Goontalking。
　　TANNER。Talking！
　　Universallaughter。