The House of Mirth Page #6

I should prefer half a husband.

- Who is he?

- George Dorset.

- Oh!

- Wait till you hear my reasons.

Since leaving Europe

things have been going badly.

Bertha has tested

even George's credulity.

They're at home now

but I think the end will come soon.

The end will never come.

Bertha will always get him back

exactly when she wants him.

Oh, Lily. He wouldn't stay

with her ten minutes if he knew.

Knew?

If he had positive proof, I mean.

Please, Carry, let us drop

the subject. It's too odious to me.

And the second candidate?

We mustn't forget him.

Sim Rosedale.

I think, Carry

I should like to go for a walk.

Miss Bart.

I've been hoping to meet you.

I should have written if I'd dared.

- I wanted to apologise.

- Don't let us speak of it.

- I was very sorry for you.

- You must let me explain.

- I was deceived.

- I am more sorry for you, then.

But you must see that

I am not exactly the person

with whom this subject

can be discussed.

Why not? It's you of all people

I owe an explanation to.

No explanation is necessary.

The situation was

perfectly clear to me.

Miss Bart, don't turn away from me.

You must understand that

after everything that happened

we cannot be friends again.

Wasn't I punished enough at the time?

Is there to be no respite?

I should have thought

you had complete respite

in the reconciliation

which was affected at my expense.

Don't put it that way.

All I ask you to understand

is that...

after the use that Bertha made of me

after all that her behaviour

has since implied

it is impossible

that you and I should meet.

Please help me.

I am sorry.

There is nothing I can do.

You must have other friends

other advisors.

I never had a friend like you.

Besides, you're the only person

who knows.

After all

you were there in Monte Carlo.

You are mistaken.

I saw nothing.

I know nothing.

Just say what you know and the way

will be clear for us both.

I know nothing.

You're sacrificing both of us.

I know nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Who's gonna get you?

Come along. You ought to be in bed.

Yes, Mother.

- Good night, Miss Bart.

- Good night, Edith.

Where are the others?

I am your only fellow guest

Miss Lily.

I think Carry

was trying to be subtle.

- You look tired.

- I've been sleeping badly.

In fact, I came especially

to see you. On a delicate matter.

I hope you can believe that.

Thank you, Mr Rosedale

I do believe what you say.

And I am ready to marry you

whenever you wish.

- But, Miss Lily...

- For I suppose you do wish it.

And though I was unable

to consent when last we spoke

I am ready, now that

I know you so much better

to entrust my happiness

to your hands.

My dear Miss Lily

it seemed my suit was so hopeless

that I really had no intention

of renewing it.

I have no one to blame but myself

if I gave you the impression

that my decision was final.

Before we bid each other goodbye

I want to thank you for once

having thought of me as you did.

Why do you talk of saying goodbye?

Can't we still be good friends

all the same?

What is your idea

of being good friends?

Seeing me without asking me

to marry you?

Well, that's about the size of it.

I like your frankness

but I'm afraid our friendship

cannot continue on those terms.

Miss Lily, what I mean...

Is that I'm not as desirable

a match as once you thought me.

Yes, that's what I do mean.

I don't believe the stories about you

but that won't alter the situation.

If they're untrue

doesn't that alter it?

You know as well as I do

last year you wouldn't look at me.

Now you appear willing to do so.

What's changed in the interval?

Your situation.

Then, you thought

you could do better.

You think you can?

Yes, I do. I've done very well.

Wall Street is under obligations

that only 5th Avenue can repay.

I know the quickest way to queer

oneself with the right people

is to be seen with the wrong ones.

- I want to avoid mistakes.

- I understand.

Goodbye, Mr Rosedale.

Why don't you use

those letters of hers?

Don't ask me how I know

you bought them. I know.

And I don't suppose

you bought those letters

simply because you

wanted to collect autographs.

You see, I know where you stand.

You have Bertha in your power.

You wish to be rehabilitated

socially

AND you have the means

of your redemption.

In a deal like this, nobody comes

out with perfectly clean hands.

If you're going to fight Bertha

don't inflict an open injury.

Reduce it to a private transaction.

- Give and take, you mean?

- Yes.

- As in business.

- Or politics.

You see how simple it is?

There's no point

frightening Bertha into line.

You have to keep her there.

That's my part of the business.

That's what I'm offering you.

To reconcile with Bertha

and then you will marry me?

What do you say, Miss Lily?

You are mistaken in the facts

and what you infer from them!

Well, I'll be damned.

I suppose it's because

the letters are to him?

I thought we understood each other?

We do now.

Come in.

It's such a blessing

to have a quiet few weeks here.

Thank you for inviting me here

Carry.

- I do love it in Tuxedo.

- Yes.

It's a pleasant house.

One of my few treasured possessions.

How are the Brys?

Louisa Bry is a stern taskmaster.

Love making people jealous

is nothing to social ambition.

By the way, I had a visit

from Mattie Gormer the other day.

She was with Bertha Dorset

of all people.

No doubt the rabbit always thinks

it is fascinating the anaconda.

Now they're fast friends, Mattie

will sacrifice anything for her.

Including me?

My dear...

the world is vile.

- Lily.

- Mrs Hatch, I'm not dressed!

It doesn't matter. This is the

20th century, not the dark ages.

Eat, then come to my rooms.

We must go through my schedule.

I'm leaving in 20 minutes

so please be quick.

I cannot find my

prescription. Do you have it?

You usually leave them

on your bureau, Mrs Hatch.

Of course. Get it filled

for me today, Lily.

Without chloral at night

I never sleep.

And I have to see my beauty

doctor today to face society.

The manicure will have to wait

until tomorrow, put her off.

Don't look sour, Lily

she won't mind. She never minds.

After lunch, it's Sherry's for tea.

This evening is bridge

with my lawyer. Eight, I think.

I'll go for my fitting tomorrow

but the exhibition is at four.

Then supper... No, the theatre first

and then supper.

With so many changes, how shall

I keep your diary accurately?

Engagements are made to be broken

especially with tradespeople.

- They expect it.

- Yes, Mrs Hatch.

Friday I'm dining with Melville

Stancy and, er... the Gormers.

Yes, Mrs Hatch.

Don't forget my prescription, Lily.

It's on the bureau.

Mrs Fisher was anxious to know

how you were getting on.

Why didn't she look me up

herself, then?

She was afraid of being importunate.

You see, no such scruples

restrained me.

Then you have come

to be of some use to me?

- Yes.

- So what am I to do with you?

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