The Age of Innocence · Parallel

01

Easy English

On the evening of his return, Janey Archer had news for her brother. "Your cousin the Countess called on mother while you were away."

Source English

"Your cousin the Countess called on mother while you were away," Janey Archer announced to her brother on the evening of his return.

02

Easy English

Newland was dining alone with his mother and sister. He looked up in surprise. His mother's eyes were bent quietly on her plate. Mrs. Archer had left the world, but the world must not forget her. Newland guessed she was annoyed that the visit surprised him.

Source English

The young man, who was dining alone with his mother and sister, glanced up in surprise and saw Mrs. Archer's gaze demurely bent on her plate. Mrs. Archer did not regard her seclusion from the world as a reason for being forgotten by it; and Newland guessed that she was slightly annoyed that he should be surprised by Madame Olenska's visit.

03

Easy English

"She wore a black velvet dress with shining black buttons," Janey went on. "And a tiny muff of green monkey fur, a soft roll to warm her hands. I never saw her so finely dressed. She came alone, early on Sunday afternoon. Luckily the fire was lit in the drawing-room."

"She had one of the new little cases for visiting cards. She said she wanted to know us, because you were so good to her."

Source English

"She had on a black velvet polonaise with jet buttons, and a tiny green monkey muff; I never saw her so stylishly dressed," Janey continued. "She came alone, early on Sunday afternoon; luckily the fire was lit in the drawing-room. She had one of those new card-cases. She said she wanted to know us because you'd been so good to her."

04

Easy English

Newland laughed. "Madame Olenska always speaks that way about her friends. She is happy to be among her own people again."

Source English

Newland laughed. "Madame Olenska always takes that tone about her friends. She's very happy at being among her own people again."

05

Easy English

"Yes, so she told us," said Mrs. Archer. "I must say she seems thankful to be here."

Source English

"Yes, so she told us," said Mrs. Archer. "I must say she seems thankful to be here."

06

Easy English

"I hope you liked her, mother."

Source English

"I hope you liked her, mother."

07

Easy English

Mrs. Archer pressed her lips together. "She certainly works hard to please, even when calling on an old lady."

Source English

Mrs. Archer drew her lips together. "She certainly lays herself out to please, even when she is calling on an old lady."

08

Easy English

"Mother doesn't think her simple," Janey put in, her eyes on her brother's face.

Source English

"Mother doesn't think her simple," Janey interjected, her eyes screwed upon her brother's face.

09

Easy English

"It is just my old-fashioned feeling. Dear May is my ideal," said Mrs. Archer.

Source English

"It's just my old-fashioned feeling; dear May is my ideal," said Mrs. Archer.

10

Easy English

"Ah," said her son. "They are not alike."

Source English

"Ah," said her son, "they're not alike."

11

Easy English

Archer left St. Augustine with many messages for old Mrs. Mingott. A day or two after his return, he called on her.

Source English

Archer had left St. Augustine charged with many messages for old Mrs. Mingott; and a day or two after his return to town he called on her.

12

Easy English

The old lady received him with unusual warmth. She was grateful, for he persuaded the Countess Olenska to give up the idea of a divorce. Then he told her how he deserted the office without leave, and rushed down just to see May. She gave a fat, comfortable laugh and patted his knee with her soft round hand.

Source English

The old lady received him with unusual warmth; she was grateful to him for persuading the Countess Olenska to give up the idea of a divorce; and when he told her that he had deserted the office without leave, and rushed down to St. Augustine simply because he wanted to see May, she gave an adipose chuckle and patted his knee with her puff-ball hand.

13

Easy English

"Ah, ah, so you broke out of harness, did you? And I suppose Augusta and Welland made long faces, as if the end of the world was coming? But little May? She knew better, I am sure?"

Source English

"Ah, ah--so you kicked over the traces, did you? And I suppose Augusta and Welland pulled long faces, and behaved as if the end of the world had come? But little May--she knew better, I'll be bound?"

14

Easy English

"I hoped she did. But she would not agree to what I went down to ask for."

Source English

"I hoped she did; but after all she wouldn't agree to what I'd gone down to ask for."

15

Easy English

"Would she not, indeed? And what was that?"

Source English

"Wouldn't she indeed? And what was that?"

16

Easy English

"I wanted her to promise that we should be married in April. Why should we waste another year?"

Source English

"I wanted to get her to promise that we should be married in April. What's the use of our wasting another year?"

17

Easy English

Mrs. Manson Mingott made her little mouth small, in a play of shocked modesty. Her eyes shone at him under sly old lids.

"'Ask Mamma,' I suppose. The usual story. Ah, these Mingotts, all alike! They are born in one narrow road, and you cannot pull them out of it."

"When I built this house, you would have thought I was moving to California! Nobody ever built above Fortieth Street. No, said they. And nobody built above the Battery before Christopher Columbus found America."

"Not one of them wants to be different. They fear it like a deadly sickness. Ah, my dear Mr. Archer, I thank my stars I am nothing but a vulgar Spicer. But not one of my own children takes after me, only my little Ellen."

She stopped, still watching him. Then old age jumped, in its careless way, to another thought. "Now, why in the world didn't you marry my little Ellen?"

Source English

Mrs. Manson Mingott screwed up her little mouth into a grimace of mimic prudery and twinkled at him through malicious lids. "'Ask Mamma,' I suppose--the usual story. Ah, these Mingotts--all alike! Born in a rut, and you can't root 'em out of it. When I built this house you'd have thought I was moving to California! Nobody ever had built above Fortieth Street--no, says I, nor above the Battery either, before Christopher Columbus discovered America. No, no; not one of them wants to be different; they're as scared of it as the small-pox. Ah, my dear Mr. Archer, I thank my stars I'm nothing but a vulgar Spicer; but there's not one of my own children that takes after me but my little Ellen." She broke off, still twinkling at him, and asked, with the casual irrelevance of old age: "Now, why in the world didn't you marry my little Ellen?"

18

Easy English

Archer laughed. "For one thing, she was not there to be married."

Source English

Archer laughed. "For one thing, she wasn't there to be married."

19

Easy English

"No, true enough. The more the pity. Now it is too late. Her life is finished." She spoke with the calm, cold comfort of the old, throwing earth on the grave of young hopes.

The young man's heart went cold. He said quickly, "Can't I persuade you to use your power with the Wellands, Mrs. Mingott? I was not made for a long engagement."

Source English

"No--to be sure; more's the pity. And now it's too late; her life is finished." She spoke with the cold-blooded complacency of the aged throwing earth into the grave of young hopes. The young man's heart grew chill, and he said hurriedly: "Can't I persuade you to use your influence with the Wellands, Mrs. Mingott? I wasn't made for long engagements."

20

Easy English

Old Catherine beamed at him. "No, I can see that. You have a quick eye. When you were a little boy, no doubt you liked to be served first."

She threw back her head with a laugh that made her chins move like little waves. "Ah, here is my Ellen now!" she cried, as the curtains at the door parted behind her.

Source English

Old Catherine beamed on him approvingly. "No; I can see that. You've got a quick eye. When you were a little boy I've no doubt you liked to be helped first." She threw back her head with a laugh that made her chins ripple like little waves. "Ah, here's my Ellen now!" she exclaimed, as the portières parted behind her.

21

Easy English

Madame Olenska came forward with a smile. Her face looked bright and happy. She held out her hand gaily to Archer and bent for her grandmother's kiss.

Source English

Madame Olenska came forward with a smile. Her face looked vivid and happy, and she held out her hand gaily to Archer while she stooped to her grandmother's kiss.

22

Easy English

"I was just saying to him, my dear, 'Now, why didn't you marry my little Ellen?'"

Source English

"I was just saying to him, my dear: 'Now, why didn't you marry my little Ellen?'"

23

Easy English

Madame Olenska looked at Archer, still smiling. "And what did he answer?"

Source English

Madame Olenska looked at Archer, still smiling. "And what did he answer?"

24

Easy English

"Oh, my darling, I leave you to find that out! He has been down to Florida to see his sweetheart."

Source English

"Oh, my darling, I leave you to find that out! He's been down to Florida to see his sweetheart."

25

Easy English

"Yes, I know." She was still looking at him. "I went to see your mother, to ask where you were. I sent a note that you never answered, and I was afraid you were ill."

Source English

"Yes, I know." She still looked at him. "I went to see your mother, to ask where you'd gone. I sent a note that you never answered, and I was afraid you were ill."

26

Easy English

He said something low about leaving in a great hurry. He meant to write from St. Augustine, he said.

Source English

He muttered something about leaving unexpectedly, in a great hurry, and having intended to write to her from St. Augustine.

27

Easy English

"And of course, once you were there, you never thought of me again!" She still shone on him with her gay look. It might be a studied show of not caring.

Source English

"And of course once you were there you never thought of me again!" She continued to beam on him with a gaiety that might have been a studied assumption of indifference.

28

Easy English

"If she still needs me, she is determined not to let me see it," he thought, stung by her manner. He wanted to thank her for visiting his mother. But under the old lady's sly eye, his tongue felt tied.

Source English

"If she still needs me, she's determined not to let me see it," he thought, stung by her manner. He wanted to thank her for having been to see his mother, but under the ancestress's malicious eye he felt himself tongue-tied and constrained.

29

Easy English

"Look at him, in such hot haste to get married that he left without asking leave! He rushed down to beg the silly girl on his knees! Now that is something like a lover. That is how handsome Bob Spicer carried off my poor mother."

"And then he was tired of her before they took me off her breast. And they only had to wait eight months for me! But there, you are not a Spicer, young man. Luckily for you and for May. Only my poor Ellen kept any of their wicked blood."

"The rest of them are all model Mingotts," the old lady cried. Her voice laughed at them all.

Source English

"Look at him--in such hot haste to get married that he took French leave and rushed down to implore the silly girl on his knees! That's something like a lover--that's the way handsome Bob Spicer carried off my poor mother; and then got tired of her before I was weaned--though they only had to wait eight months for me! But there--you're not a Spicer, young man; luckily for you and for May. It's only my poor Ellen that has kept any of their wicked blood; the rest of them are all model Mingotts," cried the old lady scornfully.

30

Easy English

Madame Olenska sat at her grandmother's side, her eyes on him, thoughtful and searching. The light of play went out of them. "Surely, Granny," she said with great gentleness, "between us we can persuade them to do as he wishes."

Source English

Archer was aware that Madame Olenska, who had seated herself at her grandmother's side, was still thoughtfully scrutinising him. The gaiety had faded from her eyes, and she said with great gentleness: "Surely, Granny, we can persuade them between us to do as he wishes."

31

Easy English

Archer rose to go. When his hand met Madame Olenska's, he felt she was waiting for a word about her unanswered letter.

Source English

Archer rose to go, and as his hand met Madame Olenska's he felt that she was waiting for him to make some allusion to her unanswered letter.

32

Easy English

"When can I see you?" he asked, as she walked with him to the door.

Source English

"When can I see you?" he asked, as she walked with him to the door of the room.

33

Easy English

"Whenever you like. But it must be soon, if you want to see the little house again. I am moving next week."

Source English

"Whenever you like; but it must be soon if you want to see the little house again. I am moving next week."

34

Easy English

A sharp pain went through him. He remembered his hours by lamplight in that low little drawing-room. They were few, but thick with memories.

Source English

A pang shot through him at the memory of his lamplit hours in the low-studded drawing-room. Few as they had been, they were thick with memories.

35

Easy English

"Tomorrow evening?"

Source English

"Tomorrow evening?"

36

Easy English

She nodded. "Tomorrow, yes, but early. I'm going out."

Source English

She nodded. "Tomorrow; yes; but early. I'm going out."

37

Easy English

The next day was a Sunday. If she was "going out" that evening, it could only be to Mrs. Lemuel Struthers's. He was annoyed, but not because she went there. He liked her going where she pleased, in spite of the van der Luydens.

But it was the kind of house where she was sure to meet Beaufort. She knew that before she went. Perhaps she was going for that very purpose.

Source English

The next day was a Sunday, and if she were "going out" on a Sunday evening it could, of course, be only to Mrs. Lemuel Struthers's. He felt a slight movement of annoyance, not so much at her going there (for he rather liked her going where she pleased in spite of the van der Luydens), but because it was the kind of house at which she was sure to meet Beaufort, where she must have known beforehand that she would meet him--and where she was probably going for that purpose.

38

Easy English

"Very well. Tomorrow evening," he repeated. Inside, he decided not to go early. If he reached her door late, he would keep her from going to Mrs. Struthers's. Or he would arrive after she left, the simplest way out.

Source English

"Very well; tomorrow evening," he repeated, inwardly resolved that he would not go early, and that by reaching her door late he would either prevent her from going to Mrs. Struthers's, or else arrive after she had started--which, all things considered, would no doubt be the simplest solution.

39

Easy English

After all, it was only half past eight when he rang the bell under the wisteria. The wisteria was the climbing plant with purple flowers over her door. A strange restlessness drove him there half an hour early.

There was no hurry, he told himself. Mrs. Struthers's Sunday evenings were not like a ball. Her guests usually went early, as if to make their sin look smaller.

Source English

It was only half-past eight, after all, when he rang the bell under the wisteria; not as late as he had intended by half an hour--but a singular restlessness had driven him to her door. He reflected, however, that Mrs. Struthers's Sunday evenings were not like a ball, and that her guests, as if to minimise their delinquency, usually went early.

40

Easy English

He did not expect to find hats and overcoats in Madame Olenska's hall. Why did she ask him to come early if she had people to dinner? Then he looked closely at the clothes Nastasia laid his own beside. His anger gave way to curiosity.

The overcoats were the strangest he ever saw under a polite roof. One glance told him neither belonged to Julius Beaufort.

One was a rough yellow overcoat of the cheap ready-made kind. The other was a very old cloak, a loose coat without sleeves, with a short cape over the shoulders. The French call that a "Macfarlane."

It was black-green and rusty with age, and clearly made for a man of enormous size. It gave out a damp smell of sawdust and long hours against the walls of drinking-houses. On it lay a ragged grey scarf and an odd soft hat, almost like a priest's.

Source English

The one thing he had not counted on, in entering Madame Olenska's hall, was to find hats and overcoats there. Why had she bidden him to come early if she was having people to dine? On a closer inspection of the garments besides which Nastasia was laying his own, his resentment gave way to curiosity. The overcoats were in fact the very strangest he had ever seen under a polite roof; and it took but a glance to assure himself that neither of them belonged to Julius Beaufort. One was a shaggy yellow ulster of "reach-me-down" cut, the other a very old and rusty cloak with a cape--something like what the French called a "Macfarlane." This garment, which appeared to be made for a person of prodigious size, had evidently seen long and hard wear, and its greenish-black folds gave out a moist sawdusty smell suggestive of prolonged sessions against bar-room walls. On it lay a ragged grey scarf and an odd felt hat of semiclerical shape.

41

Easy English

Archer raised his eyebrows at Nastasia. She raised hers, said "Già," an Italian word for "just so," and opened the drawing-room door.

Source English

Archer raised his eyebrows enquiringly at Nastasia, who raised hers in return with a fatalistic "Gia!" as she threw open the drawing-room door.

42

Easy English

His hostess was not in the room. Instead, to his surprise, another lady stood by the fire. She was long, thin, and loosely put together. Her dress was a puzzle of loops and hanging threads. Stripes and bands of plain colour crossed it, in a design without a clear key.

Her hair once tried to turn white, and only managed to fade. In it she wore a tall Spanish comb, a toothed piece that holds the hair, and a black lace scarf. Silk gloves, mended and mended again, covered her stiff, aching hands.

Source English

The young man saw at once that his hostess was not in the room; then, with surprise, he discovered another lady standing by the fire. This lady, who was long, lean and loosely put together, was clad in raiment intricately looped and fringed, with plaids and stripes and bands of plain colour disposed in a design to which the clue seemed missing. Her hair, which had tried to turn white and only succeeded in fading, was surmounted by a Spanish comb and black lace scarf, and silk mittens, visibly darned, covered her rheumatic hands.

43

Easy English

Beside her, in a cloud of cigar smoke, stood the owners of the two overcoats. Both were in the day clothes they clearly wore since morning. In one of them Archer recognized Ned Winsett.

The other man was older, and unknown to him. His giant frame declared him the wearer of the "Macfarlane." He had a weak, lion-like head with crumpled grey hair. He moved his arms in large, pawing motions, as if handing gifts of the spirit to a kneeling crowd.

Source English

Beside her, in a cloud of cigar-smoke, stood the owners of the two overcoats, both in morning clothes that they had evidently not taken off since morning. In one of the two, Archer, to his surprise, recognised Ned Winsett; the other and older, who was unknown to him, and whose gigantic frame declared him to be the wearer of the "Macfarlane," had a feebly leonine head with crumpled grey hair, and moved his arms with large pawing gestures, as though he were distributing lay blessings to a kneeling multitude.

44

Easy English

The three stood on the rug before the fire. Their eyes were fixed on a large bunch of deep red roses. It had a knot of pansies, small purple garden flowers, at its base. It lay on the sofa where Madame Olenska usually sat.

Source English

These three persons stood together on the hearth-rug, their eyes fixed on an extraordinarily large bouquet of crimson roses, with a knot of purple pansies at their base, that lay on the sofa where Madame Olenska usually sat.

45

Easy English

"What they must have cost at this season!" the lady said as Archer came in. "Of course, it is only the feeling one cares about!" Her voice came in broken sighs.

Source English

"What they must have cost at this season--though of course it's the sentiment one cares about!" the lady was saying in a sighing staccato as Archer came in.

46

Easy English

The three turned in surprise, and the lady came forward with her hand out.

Source English

The three turned with surprise at his appearance, and the lady, advancing, held out her hand.

47

Easy English

"Dear Mr. Archer, almost my cousin Newland!" she said. "I am the Marchioness Manson."

Source English

"Dear Mr. Archer--almost my cousin Newland!" she said. "I am the Marchioness Manson."

48

Easy English

Archer bowed, and she went on. "My Ellen has taken me in for a few days. I came from Cuba, where I spent the winter with Spanish friends. Such delightful people, the highest noble families of old Castile! How I wish you could know them!"

"But I was called away by our dear great friend here, Dr. Carver. You do not know Dr. Agathon Carver, who founded the Valley of Love Community?"

Source English

Archer bowed, and she continued: "My Ellen has taken me in for a few days. I came from Cuba, where I have been spending the winter with Spanish friends--such delightful distinguished people: the highest nobility of old Castile--how I wish you could know them! But I was called away by our dear great friend here, Dr. Carver. You don't know Dr. Agathon Carver, founder of the Valley of Love Community?"

49

Easy English

Dr. Carver bent his lion-like head, and the Marchioness continued. "Ah, New York, New York! How little the life of the spirit has reached it! But I see you do know Mr. Winsett."

Source English

Dr. Carver inclined his leonine head, and the Marchioness continued: "Ah, New York--New York--how little the life of the spirit has reached it! But I see you do know Mr. Winsett."

50

Easy English

"Oh, yes, I reached him some time ago. But not by that road," Winsett said with his dry smile.

Source English

"Oh, yes--I reached him some time ago; but not by that route," Winsett said with his dry smile.

51

Easy English

The Marchioness shook her head at him. "How do you know, Mr. Winsett? The spirit blows where it wants."

Source English

The Marchioness shook her head reprovingly. "How do you know, Mr. Winsett? The spirit bloweth where it listeth."

52

Easy English

"Listen, oh, listen!" Dr. Carver said, in a whisper as loud as a speech.

Source English

"List--oh, list!" interjected Dr. Carver in a stentorian murmur.

53

Easy English

"But do sit down, Mr. Archer. We four have had a delightful little dinner, and my child has gone up to dress. She expects you, and will be down in a moment."

"We were standing in wonder at these beautiful flowers. They will surprise her when she appears."

Source English

"But do sit down, Mr. Archer. We four have been having a delightful little dinner together, and my child has gone up to dress. She expects you; she will be down in a moment. We were just admiring these marvellous flowers, which will surprise her when she reappears."

54

Easy English

Winsett stayed on his feet. "I'm afraid I must be off. Please tell Madame Olenska that we shall all feel lost when she leaves our street. This house has been an oasis, a green, watered place in a desert."

Source English

Winsett remained on his feet. "I'm afraid I must be off. Please tell Madame Olenska that we shall all feel lost when she abandons our street. This house has been an oasis."

55

Easy English

"Ah, but she won't leave you. Poetry and art are the breath of life to her. It is poetry you write, Mr. Winsett?"

Source English

"Ah, but she won't abandon you. Poetry and art are the breath of life to her. It is poetry you write, Mr. Winsett?"

56

Easy English

"Well, no. But I sometimes read it," said Winsett. He gave the group one general nod, and slipped out.

Source English

"Well, no; but I sometimes read it," said Winsett, including the group in a general nod and slipping out of the room.

57

Easy English

"A sharp, biting spirit, 'un peu sauvage,' or a little wild in French. But so witty, so quick and clever in his talk! Dr. Carver, you do think him witty?"

Source English

"A caustic spirit--un peu sauvage. But so witty; Dr. Carver, you do think him witty?"

58

Easy English

"I never think of wit," said Dr. Carver in a hard, serious voice.

Source English

"I never think of wit," said Dr. Carver severely.

59

Easy English

"Ah, ah, you never think of wit! How hard he is on us weak human creatures, Mr. Archer! But he lives only in the life of the spirit. Tonight, in his mind, he prepares the talk he will soon give at Mrs. Blenker's."

"Dr. Carver, would there be time, before you start for the Blenkers'? Time to explain to Mr. Archer your great discovery of the Direct Contact? But no, it is nearly nine o'clock. We must not keep you while so many wait for your message."

Source English

"Ah--ah--you never think of wit! How merciless he is to us weak mortals, Mr. Archer! But he lives only in the life of the spirit; and tonight he is mentally preparing the lecture he is to deliver presently at Mrs. Blenker's. Dr. Carver, would there be time, before you start for the Blenkers' to explain to Mr. Archer your illuminating discovery of the Direct Contact? But no; I see it is nearly nine o'clock, and we have no right to detain you while so many are waiting for your message."

60

Easy English

Dr. Carver looked a little disappointed. He compared his heavy gold watch with Madame Olenska's little travelling-clock. Then he slowly gathered up his great body to leave.

Source English

Dr. Carver looked slightly disappointed at this conclusion, but, having compared his ponderous gold time-piece with Madame Olenska's little travelling-clock, he reluctantly gathered up his mighty limbs for departure.

61

Easy English

"I shall see you later, dear friend?" he asked the Marchioness.

She answered with a smile. "As soon as Ellen's carriage comes, I will join you. I do hope the talk will not begin before I come."

Source English

"I shall see you later, dear friend?" he suggested to the Marchioness, who replied with a smile: "As soon as Ellen's carriage comes I will join you; I do hope the lecture won't have begun."

62

Easy English

Dr. Carver looked thoughtfully at Archer. "Perhaps, if this young gentleman cares to hear of my experiences, Mrs. Blenker might let you bring him?"

Source English

Dr. Carver looked thoughtfully at Archer. "Perhaps, if this young gentleman is interested in my experiences, Mrs. Blenker might allow you to bring him with you?"

63

Easy English

"Oh, dear friend, if only that could be. I am sure she would be too happy. But I fear my Ellen counts on Mr. Archer herself."

Source English

"Oh, dear friend, if it were possible--I am sure she would be too happy. But I fear my Ellen counts on Mr. Archer herself."

64

Easy English

"That," said Dr. Carver, "is unfortunate. But here is my card." He handed it to Archer, who read, in Gothic letters:

Source English

"That," said Dr. Carver, "is unfortunate--but here is my card." He handed it to Archer, who read on it, in Gothic characters:

65

Easy English

> Agathon Carver > The Valley of Love > Kittasquattamy, N. Y.

Source English

66

Easy English

Dr. Carver bowed himself out. Mrs. Manson sighed, in regret or relief, and again waved Archer to a seat.

Source English

Dr. Carver bowed himself out, and Mrs. Manson, with a sigh that might have been either of regret or relief, again waved Archer to a seat.

67

Easy English

"Ellen will be down in a moment. And before she comes, I am so glad of this quiet moment with you."

Source English

"Ellen will be down in a moment; and before she comes, I am so glad of this quiet moment with you."

68

Easy English

Archer said something polite about the pleasure of meeting her.

The Marchioness went on in her low, sighing voice. "I know everything, dear Mr. Archer. My child has told me all you have done for her. Your wise advice and brave, firm stand. Thank heaven it was not too late!"

Source English

Archer murmured his pleasure at their meeting, and the Marchioness continued, in her low sighing accents: "I know everything, dear Mr. Archer--my child has told me all you have done for her. Your wise advice: your courageous firmness--thank heaven it was not too late!"

69

Easy English

The young man listened, deeply uncomfortable. Was there anyone, he wondered, who did not know of his part in her private affairs?

Source English

The young man listened with considerable embarrassment. Was there any one, he wondered, to whom Madame Olenska had not proclaimed his intervention in her private affairs?

70

Easy English

"Madame Olenska makes too much of it. I simply gave her a legal opinion, as she asked me to."

Source English

"Madame Olenska exaggerates; I simply gave her a legal opinion, as she asked me to."

71

Easy English

"Ah, but in doing it, you were the unknowing tool," cried the lady. "The tool of, of, what word have we moderns for Providence, Mr. Archer? Providence is the old word for God's guiding hand!"

She tilted her head and half closed her eyes, full of mystery. "You little knew that someone was reaching out to me from across the Atlantic!"

Source English

"Ah, but in doing it--in doing it you were the unconscious instrument of--of--what word have we moderns for Providence, Mr. Archer?" cried the lady, tilting her head on one side and drooping her lids mysteriously. "Little did you know that at that very moment I was being appealed to: being approached, in fact--from the other side of the Atlantic!"

72

Easy English

She glanced over her shoulder, afraid of listening ears. Then she drew her chair nearer and raised a tiny ivory fan to her lips. Ivory is the smooth white material of elephants' teeth.

Behind the fan she breathed, "The Count himself, my poor, mad, foolish Olenski. He asks only to take her back on her own terms."

Source English

She glanced over her shoulder, as though fearful of being overheard, and then, drawing her chair nearer, and raising a tiny ivory fan to her lips, breathed behind it: "By the Count himself--my poor, mad, foolish Olenski; who asks only to take her back on her own terms."

73

Easy English

"Good God!" Archer cried, springing up.

Source English

"Good God!" Archer exclaimed, springing up.

74

Easy English

"That shocks you? Yes, of course. I understand. I do not defend poor Stanislas, though he has always called me his best friend."

"He does not defend himself. Through me, he throws himself at her feet." She tapped her thin, bony chest. "I have his letter here."

Source English

"You are horrified? Yes, of course; I understand. I don't defend poor Stanislas, though he has always called me his best friend. He does not defend himself--he casts himself at her feet: in my person." She tapped her emaciated bosom. "I have his letter here."

75

Easy English

"A letter? Has Madame Olenska seen it?" Archer asked, in broken words. His head was spinning with the shock.

Source English

"A letter?--Has Madame Olenska seen it?" Archer stammered, his brain whirling with the shock of the announcement.

76

Easy English

The Marchioness shook her head softly. "Time, time. I must have time. I know my Ellen is proud and hard to move. Shall I say, just a shade unforgiving?"

Source English

The Marchioness Manson shook her head softly. "Time--time; I must have time. I know my Ellen--haughty, intractable; shall I say, just a shade unforgiving?"

77

Easy English

"But good heavens, to forgive is one thing. To go back into that hell..."

Source English

"But, good heavens, to forgive is one thing; to go back into that hell--"

78

Easy English

"Ah, yes," the Marchioness agreed. "So my sensitive child describes it! But what about money, Mr. Archer? One may bend low enough to think of that. Do you know what she is giving up?"

"Look at those roses on the sofa. He has whole fields of them at Nice, under glass and outside. His wonderful gardens fall in great steps down the hillside!"

"Jewels, famous pearls, the Sobieski emeralds, deep green stones of great price, and costly dark furs. But she cares nothing for them! She lives for art and beauty, as I always have."

"And those also surrounded her. Pictures, priceless furniture, music, brilliant talk. Excuse me, my dear young man, but you have no idea of that here!"

"And she had it all. And with it, the worship of the greatest men. She tells me in New York she is not thought handsome. Good heavens! Her portrait was painted nine times."

"The greatest artists in Europe begged for the honour. Are these things nothing? And the deep regret of a husband who still adores her?"

Source English

"Ah, yes," the Marchioness acquiesced. "So she describes it--my sensitive child! But on the material side, Mr. Archer, if one may stoop to consider such things; do you know what she is giving up? Those roses there on the sofa--acres like them, under glass and in the open, in his matchless terraced gardens at Nice! Jewels--historic pearls: the Sobieski emeralds--sables,--but she cares nothing for all these! Art and beauty, those she does care for, she lives for, as I always have; and those also surrounded her. Pictures, priceless furniture, music, brilliant conversation--ah, that, my dear young man, if you'll excuse me, is what you've no conception of here! And she had it all; and the homage of the greatest. She tells me she is not thought handsome in New York--good heavens! Her portrait has been painted nine times; the greatest artists in Europe have begged for the privilege. Are these things nothing? And the remorse of an adoring husband?"

79

Easy English

The Marchioness rose toward her great final point. Her face took on a look of far-off joy, the joy of sweet remembering. At another time Archer would have laughed. But he was frozen with shock.

Source English

As the Marchioness Manson rose to her climax her face assumed an expression of ecstatic retrospection which would have moved Archer's mirth had he not been numb with amazement.

80

Easy English

So this was his first sight of poor Medora Manson, carrying a message from Satan, the Devil himself. Once, the idea would have made him laugh. He could not laugh now. She seemed to come from the hell that Ellen Olenska had just escaped.

Source English

He would have laughed if any one had foretold to him that his first sight of poor Medora Manson would have been in the guise of a messenger of Satan; but he was in no mood for laughing now, and she seemed to him to come straight out of the hell from which Ellen Olenska had just escaped.

81

Easy English

"She knows nothing yet of all this?" he asked suddenly.

Source English

"She knows nothing yet--of all this?" he asked abruptly.

82

Easy English

Mrs. Manson laid a purple finger on her lips. "Nothing directly. But does she suspect? Who can tell?"

"The truth is, Mr. Archer, I waited to see you. I heard of your firm stand and your influence over her. I hoped for your support, to convince you..."

Source English

Mrs. Manson laid a purple finger on her lips. "Nothing directly--but does she suspect? Who can tell? The truth is, Mr. Archer, I have been waiting to see you. From the moment I heard of the firm stand you had taken, and of your influence over her, I hoped it might be possible to count on your support--to convince you ..."

83

Easy English

"That she ought to go back? I would rather see her dead!" the young man cried violently.

Source English

"That she ought to go back? I would rather see her dead!" cried the young man violently.

84

Easy English

"Ah," said the Marchioness softly, with no sign of anger. For a while she sat in her armchair, opening and shutting the foolish ivory fan between her gloved fingers. But suddenly she lifted her head and listened.

Source English

"Ah," the Marchioness murmured, without visible resentment. For a while she sat in her arm-chair, opening and shutting the absurd ivory fan between her mittened fingers; but suddenly she lifted her head and listened.

85

Easy English

"Here she comes," she said in a quick whisper. Then she pointed to the flowers on the sofa. "Am I to understand that you prefer that, Mr. Archer? After all, marriage is marriage ... and my niece is still a wife ..."

Source English

"Here she comes," she said in a rapid whisper; and then, pointing to the bouquet on the sofa: "Am I to understand that you prefer that, Mr. Archer? After all, marriage is marriage ... and my niece is still a wife..."