The Age of Innocence Page #2

Don't wait till the bubble's off|the wine. Marry before Lent.

I may catch pneumonia, and I want|to give the wedding breakfast.

What a kind offer.

Even if she hadn't been|May's grandmother...

...Mrs. Manson Mingott would|have been the first to receive...

...the required betrothal visit.

She was not only the matriarch|of this world...

...she was nearly its dowager empress.

Much of New York was related to her...

...and she knew the remainder|by marriage or by reputation.

Though brownstone was the norm...

...she lived magisterially|within a large house...

...of controversial pale,|cream-colored stone...

...in an inaccessible wilderness|near the Central Park.

The burden of her flesh|had long since made it impossible...

...for her to climb stairs.

So with characteristic|independence...

...she had established herself|on the ground floor of her house.

From her sitting room, there was|an unexpected vista of her bedroom.

Her visitors were fascinated by|the foreignness of this arrangement...

...which recalled scenes|in French fiction.

This was how women with lovers|lived in the wicked old societies.

But if she had wanted a lover...

...the intrepid woman|would have had him too.

For now, she was content simply...

...and to anticipate eagerly|the union of Newland Archer...

...with her granddaughter, May.

In them, two of New York's|best families...

...would finally|and momentously be joined.

- Goodbye, Mama.|- Goodbye.

Ellen.

Beaufort, this is a rare favor.

Unnecessarily rare, I'd say.

I met Countess Ellen,|and she let me walk home with her.

This house will be merrier|now that she's here.

- Thank you.|- Beaufort, pull up that tuffet.

I want a good gossip.

You already know about May and me.

She scolded me for not telling you.

Of course I know, and I'm so glad.

One doesn't tell such news|first in a crowd.

Careful there.

Don't catch your ring on your sleeve.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Come and see me someday.

It's a mistake for Ellen to parade up|5th Avenue with Julius...

...at the crowded hour...

...the very day after her arrival.

He's so flagrant. Even his wife|must know about Annie Ring.

Sillerton Jackson enjoyed his|frequent visits to the Archer home...

...more than the actual dining.

Newland Archer's mother...

...and his sister Janey were both|shy women and shrank from society.

But they liked to be well-informed|and doted on their bachelor friend.

Certain nuances escape Beaufort.

Necessarily.|Beaufort is a vulgar man.

Not in business. Most of New York|trusts him with its affairs.

My Grandfather Newland|always told Mother:

"Don't let that Beaufort|be introduced to the girls."

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