The Age of Innocence · Parallel

01

Easy English

The Countess Olenska told him to come "after five." At half past five, Newland Archer rang her bell. The rented house stood far down West Twenty-third Street.

Its old walls were losing their paint. A giant climbing plant choked the weak iron balcony. A balcony was a raised platform outside an upper window.

Source English

The Countess Olenska had said "after five"; and at half after the hour Newland Archer rang the bell of the peeling stucco house with a giant wisteria throttling its feeble cast-iron balcony, which she had hired, far down West Twenty-third Street, from the vagabond Medora.

02

Easy English

It was certainly a strange part of town to settle in. Her nearest neighbours were small dress-makers, people who stuffed dead birds, and "people who wrote." Further down the untidy street stood a broken old wooden house at the end of a stone path.

A writer called Winsett lived there. Archer met him now and then. Winsett invited nobody home, but once he pointed out the house.

Archer wondered if learned men lived so poorly in other capital cities.

Source English

It was certainly a strange quarter to have settled in. Small dress-makers, bird-stuffers and "people who wrote" were her nearest neighbours; and further down the dishevelled street Archer recognised a dilapidated wooden house, at the end of a paved path, in which a writer and journalist called Winsett, whom he used to come across now and then, had mentioned that he lived. Winsett did not invite people to his house; but he had once pointed it out to Archer in the course of a nocturnal stroll, and the latter had asked himself, with a little shiver, if the humanities were so meanly housed in other capitals.

03

Easy English

Madame Olenska's own house looked almost the same, except for a little fresher paint around the windows. Archer studied its poor little front. The Polish Count, he said to himself, robbed her of her money and of her dreams as well.

Source English

Madame Olenska's own dwelling was redeemed from the same appearance only by a little more paint about the window-frames; and as Archer mustered its modest front he said to himself that the Polish Count must have robbed her of her fortune as well as of her illusions.

04

Easy English

The young man's day was not a good one. He ate lunch with the Wellands, hoping afterward to carry May off for a walk in the Park.

He wanted her alone. He wanted to praise her beauty and ask for an earlier wedding.

But Mrs. Welland reminded him firmly that the round of family visits was not half done. And when he hinted at an earlier wedding day, she raised her eyebrows in quiet blame and sighed. "Twelve dozen of everything," she said. "All sewn by hand..."

Source English

The young man had spent an unsatisfactory day. He had lunched with the Wellands, hoping afterward to carry off May for a walk in the Park. He wanted to have her to himself, to tell her how enchanting she had looked the night before, and how proud he was of her, and to press her to hasten their marriage. But Mrs. Welland had firmly reminded him that the round of family visits was not half over, and, when he hinted at advancing the date of the wedding, had raised reproachful eye-brows and sighed out: "Twelve dozen of everything--hand-embroidered--"

05

Easy English

They packed into the family landau and rolled from one family doorstep to the next. Afterward, Archer felt like a trapped wild animal on show.

Perhaps his books about human groups caused this hard view of family feeling.

But the Wellands did not expect the wedding until the next autumn. He pictured his life between now and then, and something cold and damp settled on his spirit.

Source English

Packed in the family landau they rolled from one tribal doorstep to another, and Archer, when the afternoon's round was over, parted from his betrothed with the feeling that he had been shown off like a wild animal cunningly trapped. He supposed that his readings in anthropology caused him to take such a coarse view of what was after all a simple and natural demonstration of family feeling; but when he remembered that the Wellands did not expect the wedding to take place till the following autumn, and pictured what his life would be till then, a dampness fell upon his spirit.

06

Easy English

"Tomorrow," Mrs. Welland called after him, "we'll do the Chiverses and the Dallases." Archer understood that she was going through their two families in the order of the alphabet. And they were only in its first quarter.

Source English

"Tomorrow," Mrs. Welland called after him, "we'll do the Chiverses and the Dallases"; and he perceived that she was going through their two families alphabetically, and that they were only in the first quarter of the alphabet.

07

Easy English

All day he meant to tell May that the Countess Olenska asked him to call that afternoon. It was really a command. But in their few minutes alone, he had more pressing things to say. Besides, it felt a little foolish to speak of it at all.

He knew that May, more than anything, wanted him to be kind to her cousin. That very wish pushed the announcement of their engagement forward. And an odd thought followed. Without the Countess's arrival, he might be, if not free, at least less firmly tied.

But May chose it this way. So he felt free to call on her cousin without telling May.

Source English

He had meant to tell May of the Countess Olenska's request--her command, rather--that he should call on her that afternoon; but in the brief moments when they were alone he had had more pressing things to say. Besides, it struck him as a little absurd to allude to the matter. He knew that May most particularly wanted him to be kind to her cousin; was it not that wish which had hastened the announcement of their engagement? It gave him an odd sensation to reflect that, but for the Countess's arrival, he might have been, if not still a free man, at least a man less irrevocably pledged. But May had willed it so, and he felt himself somehow relieved of further responsibility--and therefore at liberty, if he chose, to call on her cousin without telling her.

08

Easy English

As he stood at Madame Olenska's door, he felt, more than anything, curious. The tone of her call puzzled him. He decided that she was less simple than she seemed.

Source English

As he stood on Madame Olenska's threshold curiosity was his uppermost feeling. He was puzzled by the tone in which she had summoned him; he concluded that she was less simple than she seemed.

09

Easy English

A dark, foreign-looking maid opened the door. A bright cloth covered her neck. Archer guessed she came from Sicily. She welcomed him with all her white teeth.

To his questions she only shook her head, understanding nothing. Then she led him through the narrow hall into a low sitting room, lit by the fire.

The room was empty, and she left him there a long time. Did she go to find the Countess? Perhaps she misunderstood him. The only clock in sight had stopped.

He knew that the people of the south talked with their hands and faces. But her signs and smiles told him nothing, and he felt ashamed of that.

At last she returned with a lamp. By then Archer put together a few Italian words from Dante and Petrarch. They brought out her answer. "La signora è fuori, ma verrà subito." He took this to mean, "She's out — but you'll soon see."

Source English

The door was opened by a swarthy foreign-looking maid, with a prominent bosom under a gay neckerchief, whom he vaguely fancied to be Sicilian. She welcomed him with all her white teeth, and answering his enquiries by a head-shake of incomprehension led him through the narrow hall into a low firelit drawing-room. The room was empty, and she left him, for an appreciable time, to wonder whether she had gone to find her mistress, or whether she had not understood what he was there for, and thought it might be to wind the clock--of which he perceived that the only visible specimen had stopped. He knew that the southern races communicated with each other in the language of pantomime, and was mortified to find her shrugs and smiles so unintelligible. At length she returned with a lamp; and Archer, having meanwhile put together a phrase out of Dante and Petrarch, evoked the answer: "La signora e fuori; ma verra subito"; which he took to mean: "She's out--but you'll soon see."

10

Easy English

The lamp showed a room unlike any he knew. Its charm was faded and full of shadows. The Countess called her few things "bits of wreckage."

Here they were, he supposed. Small thin tables of dark wood stood about. A fine little Greek figure of dark metal sat on the shelf above the fire. A length of red cloth was nailed over the stained wallpaper, behind two Italian-looking pictures in old frames.

Source English

What he saw, meanwhile, with the help of the lamp, was the faded shadowy charm of a room unlike any room he had known. He knew that the Countess Olenska had brought some of her possessions with her--bits of wreckage, she called them--and these, he supposed, were represented by some small slender tables of dark wood, a delicate little Greek bronze on the chimney-piece, and a stretch of red damask nailed on the discoloured wallpaper behind a couple of Italian-looking pictures in old frames.

11

Easy English

Newland Archer was proud of his knowledge of Italian art. His boyhood was filled with Ruskin.

He read all the newest writers: John Addington Symonds, Vernon Lee's "Euphorion," and the essays of P. G. Hamerton. He also read a wonderful new book, "The Renaissance," by Walter Pater.

He talked easily about Botticelli. He spoke of Fra Angelico as if looking down on him a little. But these pictures confused him. They were like nothing he was used to looking at — and therefore able to see — in Italy.

Perhaps the strange, empty house also troubled his eyes. No one seemed to expect him.

He felt sorry now that he never told May Welland about the Countess's request. What if she came by to see her cousin? She would find him waiting alone in the dark by a lady's fire, in what looked like private closeness.

Source English

Newland Archer prided himself on his knowledge of Italian art. His boyhood had been saturated with Ruskin, and he had read all the latest books: John Addington Symonds, Vernon Lee's "Euphorion," the essays of P. G. Hamerton, and a wonderful new volume called "The Renaissance" by Walter Pater. He talked easily of Botticelli, and spoke of Fra Angelico with a faint condescension. But these pictures bewildered him, for they were like nothing that he was accustomed to look at (and therefore able to see) when he travelled in Italy; and perhaps, also, his powers of observation were impaired by the oddness of finding himself in this strange empty house, where apparently no one expected him. He was sorry that he had not told May Welland of Countess Olenska's request, and a little disturbed by the thought that his betrothed might come in to see her cousin. What would she think if she found him sitting there with the air of intimacy implied by waiting alone in the dusk at a lady's fireside?

12

Easy English

But he was here now, and he meant to wait. He sank into a chair and stretched his feet toward the fire.

Source English

But since he had come he meant to wait; and he sank into a chair and stretched his feet to the logs.

13

Easy English

It was odd to be called in that commanding way, and then forgotten. Yet Archer felt more curious than hurt. The air of the room was unlike any air he ever breathed. He stopped thinking about himself and felt only the sense of adventure.

He knew rooms hung with red cloth, and pictures "of the Italian school." So what was different here?

This was Medora Manson's tired rented house. It held dried grass and common little Rogers figures. Yet a few well-chosen things made it private and "foreign." It quietly suggested old romantic scenes.

He tried to work out the trick. Was it the grouped chairs and tables? Was it the two Jacqueminot roses beside him? People always bought at least twelve roses.

Perhaps it was the faint smell of a far-off market. Turkish coffee and dried roses filled the air.

Source English

It was odd to have summoned him in that way, and then forgotten him; but Archer felt more curious than mortified. The atmosphere of the room was so different from any he had ever breathed that self-consciousness vanished in the sense of adventure. He had been before in drawing-rooms hung with red damask, with pictures "of the Italian school"; what struck him was the way in which Medora Manson's shabby hired house, with its blighted background of pampas grass and Rogers statuettes, had, by a turn of the hand, and the skilful use of a few properties, been transformed into something intimate, "foreign," subtly suggestive of old romantic scenes and sentiments. He tried to analyse the trick, to find a clue to it in the way the chairs and tables were grouped, in the fact that only two Jacqueminot roses (of which nobody ever bought less than a dozen) had been placed in the slender vase at his elbow, and in the vague pervading perfume that was not what one put on handkerchiefs, but rather like the scent of some far-off bazaar, a smell made up of Turkish coffee and ambergris and dried roses.

14

Easy English

His mind wandered to what May's sitting room would look like.

Mr. Welland already had his eye on a new house in East Thirty-ninth Street. It stood far away and used ugly green-yellow stone.

Young builders chose that stone against the usual brown building stone. It covered New York like cold chocolate sauce. But the water pipes were perfect.

Archer wanted to travel first, and put off the question of a house. The Wellands approved of a long trip to Europe after the wedding, perhaps even a winter in Egypt. But they were firm. A house must be waiting when the couple came home.

The young man felt that his fate was settled. Each evening, he would climb that green-yellow doorstep. He would enter a hall painted like old Pompeii, then see shining yellow wood. His imagination stopped there.

The sitting room had a wide window over the street. He could not picture May changing it. She gladly accepted her parents' purple and yellow silk.

She accepted false Buhl tables, copies of a costly French style. She accepted gold glass cases full of modern Saxe figures. Why would her own house differ?

He had one comfort. She would probably let him arrange his library as he pleased. That meant, of course, plain "sincere" furniture in the new Eastlake style, and the new bookcases without glass doors.

Source English

His mind wandered away to the question of what May's drawing-room would look like. He knew that Mr. Welland, who was behaving "very handsomely," already had his eye on a newly built house in East Thirty-ninth Street. The neighbourhood was thought remote, and the house was built in a ghastly greenish-yellow stone that the younger architects were beginning to employ as a protest against the brownstone of which the uniform hue coated New York like a cold chocolate sauce; but the plumbing was perfect. Archer would have liked to travel, to put off the housing question; but, though the Wellands approved of an extended European honeymoon (perhaps even a winter in Egypt), they were firm as to the need of a house for the returning couple. The young man felt that his fate was sealed: for the rest of his life he would go up every evening between the cast-iron railings of that greenish-yellow doorstep, and pass through a Pompeian vestibule into a hall with a wainscoting of varnished yellow wood. But beyond that his imagination could not travel. He knew the drawing-room above had a bay window, but he could not fancy how May would deal with it. She submitted cheerfully to the purple satin and yellow tuftings of the Welland drawing-room, to its sham Buhl tables and gilt vitrines full of modern Saxe. He saw no reason to suppose that she would want anything different in her own house; and his only comfort was to reflect that she would probably let him arrange his library as he pleased--which would be, of course, with "sincere" Eastlake furniture, and the plain new bookcases without glass doors.

15

Easy English

The maid came in again. She closed the curtains, pushed back a burning log, and said in a comforting voice, "Verrà — verrà."

When she was gone, Archer stood up and began to walk about. Should he wait any longer? He was starting to look foolish. Perhaps he misunderstood Madame Olenska. Perhaps she never invited him at all.

Source English

The round-bosomed maid came in, drew the curtains, pushed back a log, and said consolingly: "Verra--verra." When she had gone Archer stood up and began to wander about. Should he wait any longer? His position was becoming rather foolish. Perhaps he had misunderstood Madame Olenska--perhaps she had not invited him after all.

16

Easy English

Then, down the stones of the quiet street, came the sharp ring of a horse's steps. It stopped before the house, and he heard a carriage door open. He parted the curtains and looked out into the early dark.

A street lamp faced him. In its light he saw Julius Beaufort's neat English brougham, pulled by a big red-brown horse. The banker was climbing down and helping out Madame Olenska.

Source English

Down the cobblestones of the quiet street came the ring of a stepper's hoofs; they stopped before the house, and he caught the opening of a carriage door. Parting the curtains he looked out into the early dusk. A street-lamp faced him, and in its light he saw Julius Beaufort's compact English brougham, drawn by a big roan, and the banker descending from it, and helping out Madame Olenska.

17

Easy English

Beaufort stood with his hat in his hand, saying something. The lady seemed to say no. Then they shook hands. He jumped into his carriage while she went up the steps.

Source English

Beaufort stood, hat in hand, saying something which his companion seemed to negative; then they shook hands, and he jumped into his carriage while she mounted the steps.

18

Easy English

When she entered the room, she showed no surprise at finding Archer there. Surprise seemed the feeling she felt least of all.

Source English

When she entered the room she showed no surprise at seeing Archer there; surprise seemed the emotion that she was least addicted to.

19

Easy English

"How do you like my funny house?" she asked. "To me it's like heaven."

Source English

"How do you like my funny house?" she asked. "To me it's like heaven."

20

Easy English

As she spoke, she untied her little hat and threw it aside with her long coat. She stood looking at him with slow, thoughtful eyes.

Source English

As she spoke she untied her little velvet bonnet and tossing it away with her long cloak stood looking at him with meditative eyes.

21

Easy English

"You've arranged it beautifully," he answered. He heard how flat the words were. His burning wish to be simple and striking locked him in the usual polite phrases.

Source English

"You've arranged it delightfully," he rejoined, alive to the flatness of the words, but imprisoned in the conventional by his consuming desire to be simple and striking.

22

Easy English

"Oh, it's a poor little place. My relations look down on it. But at any rate it's less grey and sad than the van der Luydens'."

Source English

"Oh, it's a poor little place. My relations despise it. But at any rate it's less gloomy than the van der Luydens'."

23

Easy English

The words gave him a small electric shock. Few daring spirits ever called the great van der Luyden home sad. Those who entered it felt cold there — still, they spoke of it as "handsome." But suddenly he was glad that she said aloud what they all secretly felt.

Source English

The words gave him an electric shock, for few were the rebellious spirits who would have dared to call the stately home of the van der Luydens gloomy. Those privileged to enter it shivered there, and spoke of it as "handsome." But suddenly he was glad that she had given voice to the general shiver.

24

Easy English

"It's lovely — what you've done here," he said again.

Source English

"It's delicious--what you've done here," he repeated.

25

Easy English

"I like the little house," she said. "But I suppose what I like best is having it here, in my own country and my own town. And then, being alone in it." She spoke the last words so low that he hardly heard them. In his awkwardness, he picked them up.

Source English

"I like the little house," she admitted; "but I suppose what I like is the blessedness of its being here, in my own country and my own town; and then, of being alone in it." She spoke so low that he hardly heard the last phrase; but in his awkwardness he took it up.

26

Easy English

"You like so much to be alone?"

Source English

"You like so much to be alone?"

27

Easy English

"Yes. As long as my friends keep me from feeling lonely." She sat down near the fire. "Nastasia will bring the tea soon," she said, and signed him back to his armchair. "I see you've already chosen your corner."

Source English

"Yes; as long as my friends keep me from feeling lonely." She sat down near the fire, said: "Nastasia will bring the tea presently," and signed to him to return to his armchair, adding: "I see you've already chosen your corner."

28

Easy English

She leaned back, folded her arms behind her head, and looked at the fire under half-closed eyes.

Source English

Leaning back, she folded her arms behind her head, and looked at the fire under drooping lids.

29

Easy English

"This is the hour I like best — don't you?"

Source English

"This is the hour I like best--don't you?"

30

Easy English

His hurt pride spoke for him. "I was afraid you'd forgotten the hour," he said. "Beaufort must be very interesting company."

Source English

A proper sense of his dignity caused him to answer: "I was afraid you'd forgotten the hour. Beaufort must have been very engrossing."

31

Easy English

She looked amused. "Why — did you wait long? Mr. Beaufort took me to see a number of houses. It seems they will not allow me to stay in this one." She seemed to drop both Beaufort and Archer from her mind.

"I've never seen a city so set against living in 'des quartiers excentriques,'" she said. She meant the odd, out-of-the-way streets. "What does it matter where one lives? I'm told this street is respectable."

Source English

She looked amused. "Why--have you waited long? Mr. Beaufort took me to see a number of houses--since it seems I'm not to be allowed to stay in this one." She appeared to dismiss both Beaufort and himself from her mind, and went on: "I've never been in a city where there seems to be such a feeling against living in des quartiers excentriques. What does it matter where one lives? I'm told this street is respectable."

32

Easy English

"It's not fashionable."

Source English

"It's not fashionable."

33

Easy English

"Fashionable! Do you all think so much of that? Why not make one's own fashions? But I suppose I've lived too independently. At any rate, I want to do what you all do — I want to feel cared for and safe."

Source English

"Fashionable! Do you all think so much of that? Why not make one's own fashions? But I suppose I've lived too independently; at any rate, I want to do what you all do--I want to feel cared for and safe."

34

Easy English

He was touched, as on the evening before, when she spoke of her need of a guiding hand.

Source English

He was touched, as he had been the evening before when she spoke of her need of guidance.

35

Easy English

"That's what your friends want you to feel," he said, with a bite in his voice. "New York is a terribly safe place."

Source English

"That's what your friends want you to feel. New York's an awfully safe place," he added with a flash of sarcasm.

36

Easy English

"Yes, isn't it? One feels that," she cried, missing the laugh hidden in his words. "Being here is like — like being taken on a holiday. A holiday for a good little girl who has done all her lessons."

Source English

"Yes, isn't it? One feels that," she cried, missing the mockery. "Being here is like--like--being taken on a holiday when one has been a good little girl and done all one's lessons."

37

Easy English

She meant it kindly, but it did not quite please him. He could be light about New York himself. He disliked hearing anyone else take the same tone.

Did she really not see what a powerful engine New York was, and how nearly it crushed her? The Lovell Mingotts' dinner for her nearly died. The family saved it at the last minute, with social odds and ends. That dinner showed how narrow her escape was.

But either she never saw her danger, or the success of the van der Luyden evening washed it away. Archer believed the first idea. Her New York, he guessed, was still one flat picture, with no lines drawn in it. The thought troubled him.

Source English

The analogy was well meant, but did not altogether please him. He did not mind being flippant about New York, but disliked to hear any one else take the same tone. He wondered if she did not begin to see what a powerful engine it was, and how nearly it had crushed her. The Lovell Mingotts' dinner, patched up in extremis out of all sorts of social odds and ends, ought to have taught her the narrowness of her escape; but either she had been all along unaware of having skirted disaster, or else she had lost sight of it in the triumph of the van der Luyden evening. Archer inclined to the former theory; he fancied that her New York was still completely undifferentiated, and the conjecture nettled him.

38

Easy English

"Last night," he said, "New York laid itself out for you. The van der Luydens do nothing by halves."

Source English

"Last night," he said, "New York laid itself out for you. The van der Luydens do nothing by halves."

39

Easy English

"No — how kind they are! It was such a nice party. Everyone seems to have such respect for them."

Source English

"No: how kind they are! It was such a nice party. Every one seems to have such an esteem for them."

40

Easy English

The words were far too small. They fit a tea party at the dear old Miss Lannings', not the van der Luydens'.

Source English

The terms were hardly adequate; she might have spoken in that way of a tea-party at the dear old Miss Lannings'.

41

Easy English

"The van der Luydens," said Archer, "are the most powerful influence in New York society." Even as he spoke, he felt like a man making a speech. "Sadly — because of her health — they almost never open their doors."

Source English

"The van der Luydens," said Archer, feeling himself pompous as he spoke, "are the most powerful influence in New York society. Unfortunately--owing to her health--they receive very seldom."

42

Easy English

She took her hands from behind her head and looked at him thoughtfully.

Source English

She unclasped her hands from behind her head, and looked at him meditatively.

43

Easy English

"Isn't that perhaps the reason?"

Source English

"Isn't that perhaps the reason?"

44

Easy English

"The reason — ?"

Source English

"The reason--?"

45

Easy English

"For their great influence. They make themselves so rare."

Source English

"For their great influence; that they make themselves so rare."

46

Easy English

His face went a little red, and he stared at her. Then he suddenly felt how deep the remark went. With one light touch she pricked the van der Luydens, and down they came. He laughed, and let them fall.

Source English

He coloured a little, stared at her--and suddenly felt the penetration of the remark. At a stroke she had pricked the van der Luydens and they collapsed. He laughed, and sacrificed them.

47

Easy English

Nastasia set the tea tray on a low table, with Japanese cups without handles and little covered dishes.

Source English

Nastasia brought the tea, with handleless Japanese cups and little covered dishes, placing the tray on a low table.

48

Easy English

"But you'll explain these things to me," Madame Olenska said. "You'll tell me all I ought to know." She leaned forward to hand him his cup.

Source English

"But you'll explain these things to me--you'll tell me all I ought to know," Madame Olenska continued, leaning forward to hand him his cup.

49

Easy English

"No, you are the one teaching me," he said. "You open my eyes to things I looked at so long that I stopped seeing them."

Source English

"It's you who are telling me; opening my eyes to things I'd looked at so long that I'd ceased to see them."

50

Easy English

She took a small gold case from a chain on her arm and held it out to him. It held cigarettes, thin paper rolls of leaf for smoking. She took one herself. Long paper strips for lighting them lay on the shelf above the fire.

Source English

She detached a small gold cigarette-case from one of her bracelets, held it out to him, and took a cigarette herself. On the chimney were long spills for lighting them.

51

Easy English

"Ah, then we can both help each other. But I want help so much more. You must tell me just what to do."

Source English

"Ah, then we can both help each other. But I want help so much more. You must tell me just what to do."

52

Easy English

An answer was on the tip of his tongue — "Don't be seen driving about the streets with Beaufort."

But the air of the room was her air, and he was being drawn deep into it. Advice of that sort would sound wrong here. It would be like talking to someone buying rose oil in far-off Samarkand. Would you warn such a person to keep snow boots ready for a New York winter?

New York seemed much farther away than Samarkand. If they were truly to help each other, she was already giving the first help. She was making him look at his own city from outside, like a stranger.

Seen this way, New York was like a city in the wrong end of a telescope. A telescope is a long glass tube that makes far things look near — the wrong end makes them tiny instead. New York looked troublingly small and distant. But then, from Samarkand, it would.

Source English

It was on the tip of his tongue to reply: "Don't be seen driving about the streets with Beaufort--" but he was being too deeply drawn into the atmosphere of the room, which was her atmosphere, and to give advice of that sort would have been like telling some one who was bargaining for attar-of-roses in Samarkand that one should always be provided with arctics for a New York winter. New York seemed much farther off than Samarkand, and if they were indeed to help each other she was rendering what might prove the first of their mutual services by making him look at his native city objectively. Viewed thus, as through the wrong end of a telescope, it looked disconcertingly small and distant; but then from Samarkand it would.

53

Easy English

A flame jumped from the logs, and she bent over the fire. She stretched her thin hands so close that a faint ring of light shone about her nails. The firelight turned the loose rings of her dark hair red-brown, and made her pale face paler.

Source English

A flame darted from the logs and she bent over the fire, stretching her thin hands so close to it that a faint halo shone about the oval nails. The light touched to russet the rings of dark hair escaping from her braids, and made her pale face paler.

54

Easy English

"There are plenty of people to tell you what to do," Archer said. Even as he spoke, he felt a small dark wish to be in their place.

Source English

"There are plenty of people to tell you what to do," Archer rejoined, obscurely envious of them.

55

Easy English

"Oh — all my aunts? And my dear old Granny?" She weighed the idea fairly, without anger.

"They're all a little cross with me for setting up a house of my own. Poor Granny especially — she wanted to keep me with her. But I had to be free..."

This light way of speaking of the terrible old Catherine struck him. And another thought moved him. What life gives a woman this hunger for even the loneliest freedom? But the idea of Beaufort still ate at him.

Source English

"Oh--all my aunts? And my dear old Granny?" She considered the idea impartially. "They're all a little vexed with me for setting up for myself--poor Granny especially. She wanted to keep me with her; but I had to be free--" He was impressed by this light way of speaking of the formidable Catherine, and moved by the thought of what must have given Madame Olenska this thirst for even the loneliest kind of freedom. But the idea of Beaufort gnawed him.

56

Easy English

"I think I understand how you feel," he said. "Still, your family can advise you. They can explain the differences, and show you the way."

Source English

"I think I understand how you feel," he said. "Still, your family can advise you; explain differences; show you the way."

57

Easy English

She lifted her thin black eyebrows. "Is New York really so hard to find one's way in? I thought it was all straight up and down — like Fifth Avenue. And with all the cross streets numbered!"

She seemed to guess that he did not quite like this. Then came the rare smile that lit her whole face. "If you knew how I like it for just that — the straight-up-and-down-ness, and the big honest labels on everything!"

Source English

She lifted her thin black eyebrows. "Is New York such a labyrinth? I thought it so straight up and down--like Fifth Avenue. And with all the cross streets numbered!" She seemed to guess his faint disapproval of this, and added, with the rare smile that enchanted her whole face: "If you knew how I like it for just that--the straight-up-and-downness, and the big honest labels on everything!"

58

Easy English

He saw his chance. "Everything may be labelled — but everybody is not."

Source English

He saw his chance. "Everything may be labelled--but everybody is not."

59

Easy English

"Perhaps. Maybe I make things too simple — but you'll warn me if I do." She turned from the fire to look at him. "Only two people here make me feel as if they understood me and could explain things to me. You, and Mr. Beaufort."

Source English

"Perhaps. I may simplify too much--but you'll warn me if I do." She turned from the fire to look at him. "There are only two people here who make me feel as if they understood what I mean and could explain things to me: you and Mr. Beaufort."

60

Easy English

The joining of those two names hit Archer like a small blow. Then he quickly set his feelings in order. He understood her, felt with her, and felt sorry for her. She lived so close to the powers of evil, he thought, that she still breathed more freely in their air.

But she felt that Archer understood her too. So his task was plain. He must make her see Beaufort as he really was, with all the man stood for — and hate it.

Source English

Archer winced at the joining of the names, and then, with a quick readjustment, understood, sympathised and pitied. So close to the powers of evil she must have lived that she still breathed more freely in their air. But since she felt that he understood her also, his business would be to make her see Beaufort as he really was, with all he represented--and abhor it.

61

Easy English

He answered gently, "I understand. But just at first, don't let go of your old friends' hands. I mean the older women — your Granny Mingott, Mrs. Welland, Mrs. van der Luyden. They like and admire you. They want to help you."

Source English

He answered gently: "I understand. But just at first don't let go of your old friends' hands: I mean the older women, your Granny Mingott, Mrs. Welland, Mrs. van der Luyden. They like and admire you--they want to help you."

62

Easy English

She shook her head and sighed. "Oh, I know — I know! But they help only if they hear nothing unpleasant. Aunt Welland put it in those very words, when I tried...."

"Does no one here want to know the truth, Mr. Archer? The real loneliness is living among all these kind people, who only ask you to pretend!" She lifted her hands to her face. He saw her thin shoulders shake as she cried.

Source English

She shook her head and sighed. "Oh, I know--I know! But on condition that they don't hear anything unpleasant. Aunt Welland put it in those very words when I tried.... Does no one want to know the truth here, Mr. Archer? The real loneliness is living among all these kind people who only ask one to pretend!" She lifted her hands to her face, and he saw her thin shoulders shaken by a sob.

63

Easy English

"Madame Olenska! — Oh, don't, Ellen," he cried, jumping up and bending over her. He drew down one of her hands and held it. He rubbed it warm, the way one comforts a child, and said soft, low words.

But in a moment she freed herself. She looked up at him with wet eyes.

Source English

"Madame Olenska!--Oh, don't, Ellen," he cried, starting up and bending over her. He drew down one of her hands, clasping and chafing it like a child's while he murmured reassuring words; but in a moment she freed herself, and looked up at him with wet lashes.

64

Easy English

"Does no one cry here, either? I suppose there's no need to, in heaven," she said. She laughed, put her loosened hair back in place, and bent over the tea things.

One thing burned itself into his mind. He called her "Ellen," called her so twice, and she never noticed it. Far down the wrong end of the telescope, he saw the faint white figure of May Welland, in New York.

Source English

"Does no one cry here, either? I suppose there's no need to, in heaven," she said, straightening her loosened braids with a laugh, and bending over the tea-kettle. It was burnt into his consciousness that he had called her "Ellen"--called her so twice; and that she had not noticed it. Far down the inverted telescope he saw the faint white figure of May Welland--in New York.

65

Easy English

Suddenly Nastasia put her head in at the door and said something in her rich Italian.

Source English

Suddenly Nastasia put her head in to say something in her rich Italian.

66

Easy English

Madame Olenska, a hand still at her hair, cried a quick yes — "Già — già." Then the Duke of St. Austrey entered. He was guiding a very large lady in a great black wig, red feathers, and flowing furs. A wig is a covering of false hair.

Source English

Madame Olenska, again with a hand at her hair, uttered an exclamation of assent--a flashing "Gia--gia"--and the Duke of St. Austrey entered, piloting a tremendous black-wigged and red-plumed lady in overflowing furs.

67

Easy English

"My dear Countess, I've brought an old friend of mine to see you — Mrs. Struthers. She wasn't asked to the party last night, and she wants to know you."

Source English

"My dear Countess, I've brought an old friend of mine to see you--Mrs. Struthers. She wasn't asked to the party last night, and she wants to know you."

68

Easy English

The Duke smiled warmly at them all. Madame Olenska moved toward the strange pair with a soft word of welcome. She seemed to have no idea how oddly matched they were, or what a liberty the Duke took. To be fair, as Archer saw, the Duke did not know it either.

Source English

The Duke beamed on the group, and Madame Olenska advanced with a murmur of welcome toward the queer couple. She seemed to have no idea how oddly matched they were, nor what a liberty the Duke had taken in bringing his companion--and to do him justice, as Archer perceived, the Duke seemed as unaware of it himself.

69

Easy English

"Of course I want to know you, my dear," cried Mrs. Struthers. Her round, rolling voice matched her bold feathers and her bold wig.

"I want to know everybody who's young and interesting and lovely. And the Duke tells me you like music — didn't you, Duke? You play the piano yourself, I believe? Well, do you want to hear Sarasate play tomorrow evening at my house?"

She rolled on. "You know I have something going on every Sunday evening. Sunday is the day when New York doesn't know what to do with itself. So I say to it, 'Come and be amused.' The Duke thought Sarasate would tempt you, and you'll find a number of your friends there."

Source English

"Of course I want to know you, my dear," cried Mrs. Struthers in a round rolling voice that matched her bold feathers and her brazen wig. "I want to know everybody who's young and interesting and charming. And the Duke tells me you like music--didn't you, Duke? You're a pianist yourself, I believe? Well, do you want to hear Sarasate play tomorrow evening at my house? You know I've something going on every Sunday evening--it's the day when New York doesn't know what to do with itself, and so I say to it: 'Come and be amused.' And the Duke thought you'd be tempted by Sarasate. You'll find a number of your friends."

70

Easy English

Madame Olenska's face grew bright with pleasure. "How kind! How good of the Duke to think of me!" She pushed a chair up to the tea table, and Mrs. Struthers settled into it with delight. "Of course I shall be too happy to come."

Source English

Madame Olenska's face grew brilliant with pleasure. "How kind! How good of the Duke to think of me!" She pushed a chair up to the tea-table and Mrs. Struthers sank into it delectably. "Of course I shall be too happy to come."

71

Easy English

"That's all right, my dear. And bring your young gentleman with you." Mrs. Struthers held out a free and easy hand to Archer.

"I can't put a name to you — but I'm sure I've met you. I've met everybody, here, or in Paris, or in London. All the foreign-service men come to me — aren't you in the foreign service? You like music too? Duke, be sure to bring him."

Source English

"That's all right, my dear. And bring your young gentleman with you." Mrs. Struthers extended a hail-fellow hand to Archer. "I can't put a name to you--but I'm sure I've met you--I've met everybody, here, or in Paris or London. Aren't you in diplomacy? All the diplomatists come to me. You like music too? Duke, you must be sure to bring him."

72

Easy English

The Duke said "Rather!" from somewhere deep in his beard. Archer drew back with a stiff, circular bow. He felt like a self-conscious schoolboy among careless older people who never once looked at him.

Source English

The Duke said "Rather" from the depths of his beard, and Archer withdrew with a stiffly circular bow that made him feel as full of spine as a self-conscious school-boy among careless and unnoticing elders.

73

Easy English

He was not sorry that his visit ended this way. He only wished it ended sooner, and spared him a certain waste of feeling.

He went out into the winter night. New York grew vast and near again, and May Welland was the loveliest woman in it. He turned into his flower shop to send her the daily box of lilies-of-the-valley. To his shame, he found he forgot to send them that morning.

Source English

He was not sorry for the denouement of his visit: he only wished it had come sooner, and spared him a certain waste of emotion. As he went out into the wintry night, New York again became vast and imminent, and May Welland the loveliest woman in it. He turned into his florist's to send her the daily box of lilies-of-the-valley which, to his confusion, he found he had forgotten that morning.

74

Easy English

He wrote a word on his card and waited for an envelope, a paper cover for a letter. He glanced about the flower-filled shop as he waited. His eye fell on a cluster of yellow roses. He never saw any so golden before, so like the sun. His first thought was to send them to May instead of the lilies.

But they did not look like her. There was something too rich, too strong, in their fire-bright beauty.

Then his mood turned, all at once. Almost without knowing what he did, he signed to the shopkeeper. The man laid the roses in another long box. Archer slipped his card into a second envelope, and on it he wrote the name of the Countess Olenska.

Then, just as he was turning away, he drew the card out again. He left the empty envelope lying on the box.

Source English

As he wrote a word on his card and waited for an envelope he glanced about the embowered shop, and his eye lit on a cluster of yellow roses. He had never seen any as sun-golden before, and his first impulse was to send them to May instead of the lilies. But they did not look like her--there was something too rich, too strong, in their fiery beauty. In a sudden revulsion of mood, and almost without knowing what he did, he signed to the florist to lay the roses in another long box, and slipped his card into a second envelope, on which he wrote the name of the Countess Olenska; then, just as he was turning away, he drew the card out again, and left the empty envelope on the box.

75

Easy English

"They'll go at once?" he asked, pointing to the roses.

Source English

"They'll go at once?" he enquired, pointing to the roses.

76

Easy English

The shopkeeper promised him that they would.

Source English

The florist assured him that they would.