The Age of Innocence Page #8

You happen to me all over again.

Yes, I know.

For me too.

Ellen, we can't stay like this.|It can't last.

- We must look at reality, not dreams.|- I want us to be together.

I can't be your wife. Is it your idea|I should be your mistress?

I want us to find a world|where words like that don't exist.

Oh, my dear.

Where is that country?|Have you ever been there?

Can we be happy behind the backs|of people who trust us?

- I'm beyond caring about that.|- No, you're not.

You've never been beyond that.

I have.

I know what it looks like.|It's no place for us.

Why are we stopping?|This isn't Granny's.

I'll get out here.

You were right,|I shouldn't have come today.

What are you reading?

Why?

I don't know.

Because it's a different country.

You used to read poetry.

It was so nice when you read it to me.

You'll catch your death.

Of course.

I've been dead|for months and months. "

Then it occurred to him|that she might die.

People did. Young people,|healthy people did.

She might die and set him free.

- I didn't know when you were leaving.|- I'm not leaving.

Granny's asked me to take care of her.

- Then we must talk now.|- I'm due at Regina's.

Granny lent me her carriage.

Granny says Beaufort's a scoundrel,|but so is my husband...

...and the family wants me|to return to him.

Only Granny understands.|She's even seen to my allowance.

- I must see you somewhere alone.|- In New York?

Where we can be alone.

The art museum in the park.|2:30 tomorrow.

I'll be at the door.

You came to New York|because you were afraid.

- Afraid?|- Of my coming to Washington.

I thought I would be safer.

Safer from me?

Ellen?

Safer from loving me?

Shall I come to you once|and then go home?

When?

Tomorrow.

The day after.

I'm sorry I'm late.|You weren't worried, were you?

- Is it late?|- It's past 7.

I stayed at Granny's|because Ellen came in.

We had a wonderful talk.|She was so dear.

Just like the old Ellen.|Granny was so charmed by her.

You can see how the family's|been annoyed with her at times.

Going to see Regina Beaufort|in Granny's carriage.

Are we dining out tonight?

It was the custom in old New York|for brides to appear...

...in their wedding dress|during the first years of marriage.

But May, since returning|from Europe...

...had not worn her bridal satin|until this evening.

May, I'm sorry.

My head's bursting. Please don't|tell anyone. Come home with me.

Shouldn't you rest?

My head's not as bad as that.

And there's something important|I must say to you right away.

There's something|that I've got to tell you...

...about myself.

Madame Olenska--

Why should we talk|about Ellen tonight?

Because I should have spoken before--

Is it really worthwhile?

I know I've been unfair to her|at times. Perhaps we all have.

You understood her better than us,|but does it matter now that it's over?

How do you mean, "over"?

Why, since she's going back|to Europe so soon.

Granny approves and understands.|She's disappointed...

...but she's arranged to make Ellen|financially independent of the count.

I thought you would have heard|today at your offices.

- It's impossible.|- Impossible?

She could stay with Granny's money,|but I guess she's given us up.

How do you know that?

From Ellen. I told you,|I saw her at Granny's yesterday.

And she told you yesterday?

No.

She sent me a note this afternoon.

Do you want to see it?

I thought you knew.

"May, dear:
I have at last|made Granny understand...

...that my visit to her could be|no more than a visit.

And she has been as kind|and generous as ever. "

She sees now that if I return|to Europe, I must live by myself.

I am hurrying back to Washington|to pack up, and I sail next week.

Be very good to Granny when I'm gone.

As good as you've always been to me.

If friends wish to urge me to stay,|tell them it'd be utterly useless.

"--tell them it'd|be utterly useless. "

Why did she write this?

I suppose because we talked|things over yesterday.

What things?

I told her that I was afraid|I hadn't always been fair to her...

...and hadn't always understood|how hard it must have been for her.

I knew she could always|count on you...

...and I wanted her to know that you|and I were the same in our feelings.

She understood why I wanted|to tell her this.

I think she understands everything.

My head aches too.

- Good night, dear.|- Good night.

It was, as Mrs. Archer said,|a great event for a young couple...

...to give their first dinner.|It was not to be undertaken lightly.

There was a hired chef, two borrowed|footmen, roses from Hendersons...

...Roman punch, and menus|on gilt-edged cards.

It was a particular triumph|that the van der Luydens...

...at May's request...

...stayed in the city to be present|at her farewell dinner...

...for the Countess Olenska.

Archer saw all the harmless-looking|people at the table...

...as a band of quiet conspirators...

...with himself and Ellen|the center of their conspiracy.

He guessed he had been, for months...

...the center of countless|silently observing eyes...

...and patiently listening ears.

He understood that, somehow...

...the separation between himself and|the partner of his guilt was achieved.

And he knew that now the whole tribe|had rallied around his wife.

He was a prisoner in the center|of an armed camp.

Regina's illness|doesn't stop Beaufort...

...from devoting as much time|to Annie Ring as he can.

Best thing for Beaufort...

...would be to go stay at|Regina's place in North Carolina.

He could breed trotters.

And the key to his release had been|returned the day before...

...by mail, unopened.

He may stay here as a challenge|to the outrage he's created.

Perhaps he'll run for office.

Then will Annie Ring|be his first lady?

Was your trip from Washington tiring?

The heat on the train was dreadful...

...but all travel has its hardships.

They're worth it, just to get away.

I mean to do a lot of traveling soon.

What about a little adventure, Philip?|Athens and Smyrna, maybe.

- Maybe even Constantinople.|- Possibly.

- Possibly.|- But not Naples.

Dr. Bencomb says there's a fever.

Oh, really? A fever in Naples.

- There's always India.|- You need three weeks for India.

Absolutely.

Beaufort may not receive invitations,|but he maintains a certain position.

Horizontal, I hear.

If this continues,|we'll see our children...

...socializing with swindlers|and marrying Beaufort's bastards.

Has he got any?

Careful there, gentlemen.|Draw it mild.

Society has a history of tolerating|vulgar women, after all.

Up to a point.

Have you ever noticed it's|the people with the worst cooks...

...who always yell about|being poisoned when they dine out.

Lefferts used to be|a little more adept, I thought.

But then, grace is not|always required...

...as long as one knows the steps.

I've never heard Lefferts so abound...

...in the sentiments|that adorn Christian manhood.

Indignation lends a scathing eloquence|almost as effective as fear.

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