The Age of Innocence Page #4

Is it so bad?

Not if you have a taste|for slow agony.

- I've neglected to cultivate that.|- Three days with the van der Luydens!

- Take your fur and a hot-water bottle.|- Is the house that cold?

- No, but Louisa is.|- Mr. Archer.

Come to Delmonico's on Sunday. I'm|having an oyster supper in your honor.

Private room, congenial company,|artists and so on.

That's tempting. I haven't met|a single artist since my arrival.

I know some painters I could|bring to see you.

Painters? Are there|any painters in New York?

Thank you, but I was really thinking|of singers, actors, musicians...

...dramatic artists.

There were always so many|at my husband's house.

May I let you know tomorrow?|It's too late to decide tonight.

Is this late?

Of course, Newland...

...if you can persuade the countess|to change her mind...

...you can join us too.

You know painters, then?|You live in their milieu?

- Not exactly.|- But you care about such things?

Immensely. When I'm in Europe,|I never miss an exhibition.

I try to keep up.

I used to care immensely too.

My life was full of such things.

But now I want to cast off all|my old life to be an American...

...and be like everyone else.

I doubt you'll ever quite|be like everybody else.

Don't say that. I want to put|all the old things behind me.

I know.

Mr. Letterblair told me.

Mr. Letterblair?

Yes, I've come because he|asked me to. I'm in the firm.

You mean it'll be you who'll|manage everything for me?

- I can talk to you. That's easier.|- Yes, I'm here to talk about it.

I've read all the legal papers.

And the letter from the count.

It was vile.

But if he chooses to fight,|he can say things that might be un--

That are disagreeable to you.|Say them publicly...

...so that they could be|damaging even if--

If...?

Even if they were unfounded.

What harm could accusations|like that do me here?

Perhaps more harm than anywhere else.

Our legislation favors divorce,|but our social customs don't.

Well, not if the woman...

...has appearances...

...in the least degree against her,|has exposed herself...

...by any unconventional behavior...

...to offensive insinuations and....

Yes. So my family tell me.

Our family. You'll be my cousin soon.

And you agree with them?

What could you possibly gain|that would make up for the scandal?

My freedom.

But aren't you free already?

It's my business to help you|see these things...

...the way people who|are fondest of you see them.

If I didn't show you how they judge|such matters, it wouldn't be fair.

No, it wouldn't be fair.

Very well.

I'll do as you wish.

I do want to help you.

You do help me.

Good night, cousin.

For mercy's sake,|don't cry so bitterly.

- Forget what I've done!|- On one condition.

I accept it, whatever it may be.

Never speak a word of love|to me again.

Never!

On my honor.

Heaven bless you.

Farewell.

It's fascinating.

Every season, same play, same scene,|same effect on the audience.

Remarkable, isn't it?

I'm enjoying this more than in London.

Do you see this play when you travel?|I'd travel to get away from it.

- Was it a dinner?|- A reception at Mrs. Struthers'...

...given on the Lord's day...

...but with champagne|and singing from the tabletops.

People say there was dancing.

It was a French Sunday then?

Dissipation can be wonderfully|energizing in the early stages....

Do you think her lover will send her a|box of yellow roses tomorrow morning?

I was thinking about that too.

The farewell scene.

Yes, I know.

It touches me as well.

I usually leave after that scene,|to take the picture away with me.

They always spend the winter there,|on account of her mother's bronchitis.

And what do you do while May is away?

I do my work.

I do want you to know|what you advised me was right.

Things can be so difficult sometimes...

...and I'm so grateful.

The next day, Newland Archer searched|the city in vain for yellow roses.

He sent a note to Madame Olenska...

...asking to call that afternoon|and requesting a reply by messenger.

There was no reply that day|or the next.

And when yellow roses|were again available...

...Archer passed them by.

It was only on the third day|that he heard from her by post...

...from the van der Luydens' home.

"Newland, I ran away the day after|I saw you at the play...

...and these kind friends took me in.

I wanted to be quiet|and think things over.

I feel so safe here.|I wish that you were with us.

Yours sincerely."

He had received an invitation from the|Lefferts for a weekend on the Hudson.

He hoped it was not too late to reply.

Their house was not far|from the van der Luydens'.

I came to see what you ran away from.

- I knew you'd come.|- That shows you wanted me to.

May wrote she asked you|to take care of me.

- I didn't need to be asked.|- Why?

Am I so helpless and defenseless?

Or are women here so blessed|they never feel need?

What sort of need?

Oh, please, don't ask me.|I don't speak your language.

Henry left the patroon house open|for me. I want you to see it.

When you wrote me, you were unhappy.

Yes, but I can't feel unhappy|when you're here.

I shan't be here long.

I know.

...if I'm really to help you...

...you must tell me|what you're running from.

Is he what you're running from?

Or what you expected?

I didn't know he was here.

Hello, Beaufort.

This way. Madame Olenska|was expecting you.

All this way just to tell you I've|found the perfect house for you.

It's not on the market yet,|so you must take it now.

Well, Archer. Rusticating?

That night he did not take|the customary comfort...

...in his monthly shipment|of London books.

There were moments|when he felt as if he were...

...being buried alive|under his future.

Newland, come late tomorrow.|I must explain to you. Ellen.

- Has anything happened?|- Yes.

I found I had to see you.

What is it?

Nothing.

Tell me what you do all day.

...from Philadelphia and Baltimore|picnicking at the inn.

And the Merrys are setting up|a lawn tennis court...

...but nobody here has really|heard of the game yet, so....

I have my racket|and so does Kate Merry....

I came here because I thought I could|persuade you to break away from that.

To advance our engagement.

Don't you understand how much|I want to marry you?

Why should we dream away another year?

I'm not sure I do understand.

Are you not certain of feeling|the same way about me?

What on earth do you mean?

Is there someone else?

Someone else?

Between you and me?

Let's talk frankly, Newland.

I've felt a difference in you,|especially since our engagement.

- What?|- If it's untrue, it won't hurt to talk.

And if it is true, we should talk.|You might've made a mistake.

If I'd made a mistake, would I be|asking to hurry our marriage?

I don't know. You might.

It'd be one way to settle|the question.

In Newport, two years ago...

...before we were promised...

...everyone said there|was someone else for you.

I saw you with her, sitting together|on a veranda at a dance.

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