STRAKER. Now then, ladies and gentlemen: she don't want a crowd round her: she wants air--all 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. [supine] 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, get up. 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].