Easy English ↔ Source English
Chapter 18
Source paragraphs anchor each row. Semantically matched easy-English paragraphs stay grouped beside the source they rewrite.
Easy-English paragraphs are matched to the source by meaning; numbering follows the source text.
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01
Easy English
"What are you two planning together, aunt Medora?" Madame Olenska cried as she came into the room.
Source English
"What are you two plotting together, aunt Medora?" Madame Olenska cried as she came into the room.
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02
Easy English
She was dressed as if for a ball. Everything about her shone with a soft light, as if her dress was woven out of candle-light. She carried her head high, like a pretty woman who means to win the room.
Source English
She was dressed as if for a ball. Everything about her shimmered and glimmered softly, as if her dress had been woven out of candle-beams; and she carried her head high, like a pretty woman challenging a roomful of rivals.
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03
Easy English
"We were saying that here is something beautiful to surprise you," Mrs. Manson answered. She rose and pointed playfully to the flowers.
Source English
"We were saying, my dear, that here was something beautiful to surprise you with," Mrs. Manson rejoined, rising to her feet and pointing archly to the flowers.
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04
Easy English
Madame Olenska stopped and looked at the bouquet, a bunch of gift flowers. Her color did not change. White anger ran over her like summer lightning.
"Ah," she cried, in a high sharp voice that Archer had never heard from her. "Who is ridiculous enough to send me a bouquet? Why a bouquet? And why tonight of all nights?
"I'm not going to a ball. I'm not a girl just engaged to be married. But some people are always ridiculous."
Ridiculous meant fit only to be laughed at.
Source English
Madame Olenska stopped short and looked at the bouquet. Her colour did not change, but a sort of white radiance of anger ran over her like summer lightning. "Ah," she exclaimed, in a shrill voice that the young man had never heard, "who is ridiculous enough to send me a bouquet? Why a bouquet? And why tonight of all nights? I am not going to a ball; I am not a girl engaged to be married. But some people are always ridiculous."
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05
Easy English
She turned back to the door, opened it, and called out, "Nastasia!"
Source English
She turned back to the door, opened it, and called out: "Nastasia!"
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06
Easy English
The maid, who was always everywhere, appeared at once. Madame Olenska spoke to her in Italian. She spoke slowly, on purpose, so that Archer could follow it.
"Here, throw this out with the waste!" Then, as Nastasia stared, "But no, it's not the poor flowers' fault. Tell the boy to carry them three doors away."
"The house of Mr. Winsett, the dark gentleman who dined here. His wife is ill. They may give her pleasure...
"The boy is out, you say? Then, my dear one, run yourself. Here, put my cloak over you and fly. I want the thing out of the house at once! And whatever you do, don't say they came from me!"
Source English
The ubiquitous handmaiden promptly appeared, and Archer heard Madame Olenska say, in an Italian that she seemed to pronounce with intentional deliberateness in order that he might follow it: "Here--throw this into the dustbin!" and then, as Nastasia stared protestingly: "But no--it's not the fault of the poor flowers. Tell the boy to carry them to the house three doors away, the house of Mr. Winsett, the dark gentleman who dined here. His wife is ill--they may give her pleasure ... The boy is out, you say? Then, my dear one, run yourself; here, put my cloak over you and fly. I want the thing out of the house immediately! And, as you live, don't say they come from me!"
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07
Easy English
She threw her velvet opera cloak over the maid's shoulders. Then she turned back into the drawing-room and shut the door sharply. Her breast rose and fell fast under its lace. For a moment Archer thought she was going to cry.
Instead she laughed. She looked from the Marchioness to Archer and asked, "And you two, have you made friends?"
Source English
She flung her velvet opera cloak over the maid's shoulders and turned back into the drawing-room, shutting the door sharply. Her bosom was rising high under its lace, and for a moment Archer thought she was about to cry; but she burst into a laugh instead, and looking from the Marchioness to Archer, asked abruptly: "And you two--have you made friends!"
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08
Easy English
"It's for Mr. Archer to say, darling. He has waited patiently while you dressed."
Source English
"It's for Mr. Archer to say, darling; he has waited patiently while you were dressing."
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09
Easy English
"Yes, I gave you time enough. My hair wouldn't go," Madame Olenska said. She touched her piled-up curls.
"But that reminds me. I see Dr. Carver is gone, and you'll be late at the Blenkers'. Mr. Archer, will you put my aunt in the carriage?"
Source English
"Yes--I gave you time enough: my hair wouldn't go," Madame Olenska said, raising her hand to the heaped-up curls of her chignon. "But that reminds me: I see Dr. Carver is gone, and you'll be late at the Blenkers'. Mr. Archer, will you put my aunt in the carriage?"
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10
Easy English
She followed the Marchioness into the hall. She saw her packed into shawls, wraps, and shoe covers. From the doorstep she called, "The carriage must return for me at ten!"
Then she returned to the drawing-room. When Archer came in again, she was by the fireplace, studying herself in the glass.
New York society did not do things this way. A lady did not call her maid "my dear one." She did not send her into the night in her own opera cloak.
Despite his deeper feelings, Archer enjoyed it. In this world, feeling became action with the speed of the old gods.
Source English
She followed the Marchioness into the hall, saw her fitted into a miscellaneous heap of overshoes, shawls and tippets, and called from the doorstep: "Mind, the carriage is to be back for me at ten!" Then she returned to the drawing-room, where Archer, on re-entering it, found her standing by the mantelpiece, examining herself in the mirror. It was not usual, in New York society, for a lady to address her parlour-maid as "my dear one," and send her out on an errand wrapped in her own opera-cloak; and Archer, through all his deeper feelings, tasted the pleasurable excitement of being in a world where action followed on emotion with such Olympian speed.
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11
Easy English
Madame Olenska did not move when he came up behind her. For a second their eyes met in the glass. Then she turned, dropped into her sofa-corner, and breathed out, "There's time for a cigarette."
Source English
Madame Olenska did not move when he came up behind her, and for a second their eyes met in the mirror; then she turned, threw herself into her sofa-corner, and sighed out: "There's time for a cigarette."
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12
Easy English
He handed her the box and lit a paper strip for her. The flame flashed up into her face. She looked at him with laughing eyes and said, "What do you think of me when I'm angry?"
Source English
He handed her the box and lit a spill for her; and as the flame flashed up into her face she glanced at him with laughing eyes and said: "What do you think of me in a temper?"
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13
Easy English
Archer paused. Then he answered with sudden firmness, "It makes me understand what your aunt has been saying about you."
Source English
Archer paused a moment; then he answered with sudden resolution: "It makes me understand what your aunt has been saying about you."
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14
Easy English
"I knew she was talking about me. Well?"
Source English
"I knew she'd been talking about me. Well?"
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15
Easy English
"She said you were used to all kinds of things. Wonders and pleasures and excitements that we could never hope to give you here."
Source English
"She said you were used to all kinds of things--splendours and amusements and excitements--that we could never hope to give you here."
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16
Easy English
Madame Olenska smiled faintly into the circle of smoke about her lips.
Source English
Madame Olenska smiled faintly into the circle of smoke about her lips.
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17
Easy English
"Medora is romantic past all cure. It makes up to her for so many things!"
Source English
"Medora is incorrigibly romantic. It has made up to her for so many things!"
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18
Easy English
Archer paused again, and again took his risk. "Is your aunt's romance always close to the facts?"
Source English
Archer hesitated again, and again took his risk. "Is your aunt's romanticism always consistent with accuracy?"
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19
Easy English
"You mean, does she speak the truth?" Her niece considered. "Well, I'll tell you. In almost everything she says, there's something true and something untrue."
"But why do you ask? What has she been telling you?"
Source English
"You mean: does she speak the truth?" Her niece considered. "Well, I'll tell you: in almost everything she says, there's something true and something untrue. But why do you ask? What has she been telling you?"
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20
Easy English
He looked away into the fire, and then back at her shining presence. His heart tightened at one thought. This was their last evening by that fireside. In a moment the carriage would come and carry her away.
Source English
He looked away into the fire, and then back at her shining presence. His heart tightened with the thought that this was their last evening by that fireside, and that in a moment the carriage would come to carry her away.
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21
Easy English
"She claims Count Olenski asked her to persuade you to go back to him."
Source English
"She says--she pretends that Count Olenski has asked her to persuade you to go back to him."
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22
Easy English
Madame Olenska made no answer. She sat still, her cigarette half-lifted. Her face did not change. Archer remembered that she rarely showed surprise.
Source English
Madame Olenska made no answer. She sat motionless, holding her cigarette in her half-lifted hand. The expression of her face had not changed; and Archer remembered that he had before noticed her apparent incapacity for surprise.
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23
Easy English
"You knew, then?" he broke out.
Source English
"You knew, then?" he broke out.
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24
Easy English
She was silent so long that the ash dropped from her cigarette. She brushed it to the floor. "She has let fall some words about a letter. Poor darling! Medora and her little secrets —"
Source English
She was silent for so long that the ash dropped from her cigarette. She brushed it to the floor. "She has hinted about a letter: poor darling! Medora's hints--"
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25
Easy English
"Is it at your husband's wish that she arrived here so suddenly?"
Source English
"Is it at your husband's request that she has arrived here suddenly?"
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26
Easy English
Madame Olenska seemed to consider that question too. "There again, one can't tell. She told me Dr. Carver sent her a 'call of the spirit,' whatever that is."
"I'm afraid she's going to marry Dr. Carver... Poor Medora. There's always someone she wants to marry."
"But perhaps the people in Cuba simply grew tired of her! I think they paid her to live with them and keep them company. Really, I don't know why she came."
Source English
Madame Olenska seemed to consider this question also. "There again: one can't tell. She told me she had had a 'spiritual summons,' whatever that is, from Dr. Carver. I'm afraid she's going to marry Dr. Carver ... poor Medora, there's always some one she wants to marry. But perhaps the people in Cuba just got tired of her! I think she was with them as a sort of paid companion. Really, I don't know why she came."
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27
Easy English
"But you do believe she has a letter from your husband?"
Source English
"But you do believe she has a letter from your husband?"
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28
Easy English
Again she thought in silence. Then she said, "After all, it was to be expected."
Source English
Again Madame Olenska brooded silently; then she said: "After all, it was to be expected."
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29
Easy English
The young man rose and went to lean against the fireplace. A sudden restlessness took hold of him. His tongue would not obey him. Their minutes were counted. At any moment he might hear the wheels of the returning carriage.
Source English
The young man rose and went to lean against the fireplace. A sudden restlessness possessed him, and he was tongue-tied by the sense that their minutes were numbered, and that at any moment he might hear the wheels of the returning carriage.
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30
Easy English
"You know that your aunt believes you will go back?"
Source English
"You know that your aunt believes you will go back?"
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31
Easy English
Madame Olenska raised her head. A deep red spread over her face, neck, and shoulders. She seldom blushed, and it hurt like a burn.
Source English
Madame Olenska raised her head quickly. A deep blush rose to her face and spread over her neck and shoulders. She blushed seldom and painfully, as if it hurt her like a burn.
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32
Easy English
"Many cruel things have been believed of me," she said.
Source English
"Many cruel things have been believed of me," she said.
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33
Easy English
"Oh, Ellen, forgive me. I'm a fool, and I've been cruel!"
Source English
"Oh, Ellen--forgive me; I'm a fool and a brute!"
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34
Easy English
She smiled. "You are terribly nervous, and you have your own troubles. You think the Wellands are unreasonable about your marriage. I agree.
"In Europe, people don't understand our long American engagements. I suppose they are not as calm as we are." She said the word "we" with a light stress that made it sound like a quiet joke.
Source English
She smiled a little. "You are horribly nervous; you have your own troubles. I know you think the Wellands are unreasonable about your marriage, and of course I agree with you. In Europe people don't understand our long American engagements; I suppose they are not as calm as we are." She pronounced the "we" with a faint emphasis that gave it an ironic sound.
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35
Easy English
Archer felt the edge of the joke, but did not dare to take it up. Perhaps she turned the talk away from her own affairs on purpose. His last words clearly gave her pain. After that, all he could do was follow her lead.
But the hour was slipping away, and he could not bear it. He could not let a wall of words drop between them again.
Source English
Archer felt the irony but did not dare to take it up. After all, she had perhaps purposely deflected the conversation from her own affairs, and after the pain his last words had evidently caused her he felt that all he could do was to follow her lead. But the sense of the waning hour made him desperate: he could not bear the thought that a barrier of words should drop between them again.
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36
Easy English
"Yes," he said suddenly. "I went south to ask May to marry me after Easter. There's no reason why we shouldn't be married then."
Source English
"Yes," he said abruptly; "I went south to ask May to marry me after Easter. There's no reason why we shouldn't be married then."
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37
Easy English
"May loves you, yet you couldn't persuade her? I thought her too clever to obey such foolish old beliefs."
Source English
"And May adores you--and yet you couldn't convince her? I thought her too intelligent to be the slave of such absurd superstitions."
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38
Easy English
"She is too clever. She's not their prisoner."
Source English
"She is too intelligent--she's not their slave."
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39
Easy English
Madame Olenska looked at him. "Well, then, I don't understand."
Source English
Madame Olenska looked at him. "Well, then--I don't understand."
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40
Easy English
Archer's face grew hot, and he hurried on. "We had a frank talk, almost our first. She thinks my hurry a bad sign."
Source English
Archer reddened, and hurried on with a rush. "We had a frank talk--almost the first. She thinks my impatience a bad sign."
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41
Easy English
"Good heavens, a bad sign?"
Source English
"Merciful heavens--a bad sign?"
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42
Easy English
"She thinks I can't trust myself to keep caring for her. She thinks I want marriage now to escape someone I care for more."
Source English
"She thinks it means that I can't trust myself to go on caring for her. She thinks, in short, I want to marry her at once to get away from some one that I--care for more."
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43
Easy English
Madame Olenska studied this. "But if she thinks that, why isn't she in a hurry too?"
Source English
Madame Olenska examined this curiously. "But if she thinks that--why isn't she in a hurry too?"
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44
Easy English
"Because she is nobler, greater in heart. She holds to the long engagement, to give me time..."
Source English
"Because she's not like that: she's so much nobler. She insists all the more on the long engagement, to give me time--"
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45
Easy English
"Time to give her up for the other woman?"
Source English
"Time to give her up for the other woman?"
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46
Easy English
"If I want to."
Source English
"If I want to."
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47
Easy English
Madame Olenska leaned toward the fire and looked into it with fixed eyes. Down the quiet street, Archer heard the quick feet of her horses.
Source English
Madame Olenska leaned toward the fire and gazed into it with fixed eyes. Down the quiet street Archer heard the approaching trot of her horses.
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48
Easy English
"That is noble," she said, with a slight break in her voice.
Source English
"That is noble," she said, with a slight break in her voice.
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49
Easy English
"Yes. But it's ridiculous."
Source English
"Yes. But it's ridiculous."
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50
Easy English
"Ridiculous? Because you don't care for anyone else?"
Source English
"Ridiculous? Because you don't care for any one else?"
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51
Easy English
"Because I don't mean to marry anyone else."
Source English
"Because I don't mean to marry any one else."
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52
Easy English
"Ah." After a long pause, she looked up. "Does this other woman love you?"
Source English
"Ah." There was another long interval. At length she looked up at him and asked: "This other woman--does she love you?"
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53
Easy English
"Oh, there is no other woman. The person May was thinking of was never..."
Source English
"Oh, there's no other woman; I mean, the person that May was thinking of is--was never--"
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54
Easy English
"Then why, after all, are you in such a hurry?"
Source English
"Then, why, after all, are you in such haste?"
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55
Easy English
"There's your carriage," said Archer.
Source English
"There's your carriage," said Archer.
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56
Easy English
She half-rose and looked about her with empty eyes. Her fan and gloves lay on the sofa beside her. She picked them up without thinking.
Source English
She half-rose and looked about her with absent eyes. Her fan and gloves lay on the sofa beside her and she picked them up mechanically.
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57
Easy English
"Yes, I suppose I must be going."
Source English
"Yes; I suppose I must be going."
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58
Easy English
"You're going to Mrs. Struthers's?"
Source English
"You're going to Mrs. Struthers's?"
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59
Easy English
"Yes." She smiled and added, "I must go where I am invited, or I should be too lonely. Why not come with me?"
Source English
"Yes." She smiled and added: "I must go where I am invited, or I should be too lonely. Why not come with me?"
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60
Easy English
Archer felt that at any cost he must keep her beside him, and win the rest of her evening. He did not answer her question.
He stayed leaning against the fireplace. His eyes were fixed on the hand that held her gloves and fan. Did he have the power to make her drop them?
Source English
Archer felt that at any cost he must keep her beside him, must make her give him the rest of her evening. Ignoring her question, he continued to lean against the chimney-piece, his eyes fixed on the hand in which she held her gloves and fan, as if watching to see if he had the power to make her drop them.
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61
Easy English
"May guessed the truth," he said. "There is another woman, but not the one she thinks."
Source English
"May guessed the truth," he said. "There is another woman--but not the one she thinks."
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62
Easy English
Ellen Olenska made no answer and did not move. After a moment he sat down beside her. He took her hand and softly opened her fingers, so that the gloves and fan fell between them.
Source English
Ellen Olenska made no answer, and did not move. After a moment he sat down beside her, and, taking her hand, softly unclasped it, so that the gloves and fan fell on the sofa between them.
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63
Easy English
She sprang up, freed herself, and crossed the fireplace. "Ah, don't make love to me! Too many people have done that," she said darkly. Here, make love meant speak of love.
Source English
She started up, and freeing herself from him moved away to the other side of the hearth. "Ah, don't make love to me! Too many people have done that," she said, frowning.
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64
Easy English
Archer changed color and stood up too. Nothing she said all evening cut him so deeply. "I have never made love to you," he said. "And I never shall. But you are the woman I would marry, if it were possible for either of us."
Source English
Archer, changing colour, stood up also: it was the bitterest rebuke she could have given him. "I have never made love to you," he said, "and I never shall. But you are the woman I would have married if it had been possible for either of us."
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65
Easy English
"Possible for either of us?" She looked at him in wonder. "You say that when you made it impossible?"
Source English
"Possible for either of us?" She looked at him with unfeigned astonishment. "And you say that--when it's you who've made it impossible?"
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66
Easy English
He stared at her. His mind was all blackness, and through it one blinding line of light tore its way.
Source English
He stared at her, groping in a blackness through which a single arrow of light tore its blinding way.
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67
Easy English
"I made it impossible?"
Source English
"I've made it impossible--?"
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68
Easy English
"You, you, you!" she cried, her lip shaking like a child's near tears. "You made me give up the divorce. You showed me how selfish and evil it was."
"You said one must give up oneself to protect marriage. You said one must save one's family from public talk and scandal, an open shame."
"And my family was going to be your family. For May's sake, and for yours, I did what you told me. I did what you proved to me I ought to do."
"Ah," she said with a sudden laugh. "I've made no secret of it. I did it for you!"
Source English
"You, you, you!" she cried, her lip trembling like a child's on the verge of tears. "Isn't it you who made me give up divorcing--give it up because you showed me how selfish and wicked it was, how one must sacrifice one's self to preserve the dignity of marriage ... and to spare one's family the publicity, the scandal? And because my family was going to be your family--for May's sake and for yours--I did what you told me, what you proved to me that I ought to do. Ah," she broke out with a sudden laugh, "I've made no secret of having done it for you!"
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69
Easy English
She sank among the bright waves of her party dress. She looked like a masked dancer struck down at the ball. Archer stood by the fireplace and stared.
Source English
She sank down on the sofa again, crouching among the festive ripples of her dress like a stricken masquerader; and the young man stood by the fireplace and continued to gaze at her without moving.
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70
Easy English
"Good God," he said, low, like a man in pain. "When I thought —"
Source English
"Good God," he groaned. "When I thought--"
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71
Easy English
"You thought?"
Source English
"You thought?"
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72
Easy English
"Ah, don't ask me what I thought!"
Source English
"Ah, don't ask me what I thought!"
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73
Easy English
He kept his eyes on her, and saw the same burning red climb her neck to her face. She sat up straight and faced him with a stiff, high pride.
Source English
Still looking at her, he saw the same burning flush creep up her neck to her face. She sat upright, facing him with a rigid dignity.
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74
Easy English
"I do ask you."
Source English
"I do ask you."
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75
Easy English
"Well, then. There were things in that letter you asked me to read —"
Source English
"Well, then: there were things in that letter you asked me to read--"
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76
Easy English
"My husband's letter?"
Source English
"My husband's letter?"
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77
Easy English
"Yes."
Source English
"Yes."
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78
Easy English
"I had nothing to fear from that letter. Nothing at all! I only feared bringing shame and scandal on the family, on you and May."
Source English
"I had nothing to fear from that letter: absolutely nothing! All I feared was to bring notoriety, scandal, on the family--on you and May."
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79
Easy English
"Good God," he said again, and hid his face in his hands.
Source English
"Good God," he groaned again, bowing his face in his hands.
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80
Easy English
The silence that followed lay on them with the weight of final things. No one could ever call them back. It seemed to press Archer down like the stone on his own grave.
In all the wide future he saw nothing that would ever lift that load from his heart. He did not move, and he did not raise his head from his hands. His hidden eyes went on staring into the dark.
Source English
The silence that followed lay on them with the weight of things final and irrevocable. It seemed to Archer to be crushing him down like his own grave-stone; in all the wide future he saw nothing that would ever lift that load from his heart. He did not move from his place, or raise his head from his hands; his hidden eyeballs went on staring into utter darkness.
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81
Easy English
"At least I loved you..." he said.
Source English
"At least I loved you--" he brought out.
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82
Easy English
Then, from her sofa-corner, he heard a faint, held-back crying, like a child's. He started up and came to her side.
Source English
On the other side of the hearth, from the sofa-corner where he supposed that she still crouched, he heard a faint stifled crying like a child's. He started up and came to her side.
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83
Easy English
"Ellen! What madness! Why are you crying? Nothing is done that can't be undone. I'm still free, and you're going to be."
He had her in his arms. Her face was like a wet flower against his lips. All their empty fears dried up like ghosts at sunrise.
One thing filled him with wonder now. He stood there for five minutes, arguing with her across the room. And one touch of her made everything simple.
Source English
"Ellen! What madness! Why are you crying? Nothing's done that can't be undone. I'm still free, and you're going to be." He had her in his arms, her face like a wet flower at his lips, and all their vain terrors shrivelling up like ghosts at sunrise. The one thing that astonished him now was that he should have stood for five minutes arguing with her across the width of the room, when just touching her made everything so simple.
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84
Easy English
She gave him back all his kiss. But after a moment he felt her grow stiff in his arms. She put him aside and stood up.
Source English
She gave him back all his kiss, but after a moment he felt her stiffening in his arms, and she put him aside and stood up.
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85
Easy English
"Ah, my poor Newland, I suppose this had to be. But it changes nothing," she said, looking down from the fireplace.
Source English
"Ah, my poor Newland--I suppose this had to be. But it doesn't in the least alter things," she said, looking down at him in her turn from the hearth.
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86
Easy English
"It changes the whole of life for me."
Source English
"It alters the whole of life for me."
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87
Easy English
"No, no, it mustn't. You're engaged to May Welland, and I'm married."
Source English
"No, no--it mustn't, it can't. You're engaged to May Welland; and I'm married."
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88
Easy English
He stood up too, his face hot, his mind set. "Nonsense! It's too late for that sort of thing. We have no right to lie to other people or to ourselves."
"We won't talk of your marriage. But do you see me marrying May after this?"
Source English
He stood up too, flushed and resolute. "Nonsense! It's too late for that sort of thing. We've no right to lie to other people or to ourselves. We won't talk of your marriage; but do you see me marrying May after this?"
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89
Easy English
She rested her thin elbows above the fireplace. The glass showed her face from the side. One loose curl hung on her neck. She looked worn and old.
Source English
She stood silent, resting her thin elbows on the mantelpiece, her profile reflected in the glass behind her. One of the locks of her chignon had become loosened and hung on her neck; she looked haggard and almost old.
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90
Easy English
"I don't see you," she said at last, "putting that question to May. Do you?"
Source English
"I don't see you," she said at length, "putting that question to May. Do you?"
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91
Easy English
He gave a wild little lift of his shoulders. "It's too late to do anything else."
Source English
He gave a reckless shrug. "It's too late to do anything else."
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92
Easy English
"You say that because it is easy now, not because it is true. We can only do what we both decided."
Source English
"You say that because it's the easiest thing to say at this moment--not because it's true. In reality it's too late to do anything but what we'd both decided on."
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93
Easy English
"Ah, I don't understand you!"
Source English
"Ah, I don't understand you!"
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94
Easy English
She forced a sad smile that tightened her face. "You don't understand how you changed things for me, from before I knew all you did."
Source English
She forced a pitiful smile that pinched her face instead of smoothing it. "You don't understand because you haven't yet guessed how you've changed things for me: oh, from the first--long before I knew all you'd done."
-
95
Easy English
"All that I did?"
Source English
"All I'd done?"
-
96
Easy English
"Yes. At first I understood nothing. People here kept away from me. They thought I was a terrible woman."
"It seems they even refused to meet me at dinner. I found that out afterward."
"I learned how you made your mother go to the van der Luydens'. You announced your engagement at the Beaufort ball. You gave me two families instead of one..."
Source English
"Yes. I was perfectly unconscious at first that people here were shy of me--that they thought I was a dreadful sort of person. It seems they had even refused to meet me at dinner. I found that out afterward; and how you'd made your mother go with you to the van der Luydens'; and how you'd insisted on announcing your engagement at the Beaufort ball, so that I might have two families to stand by me instead of one--"
-
97
Easy English
At that he broke into a laugh.
Source English
At that he broke into a laugh.
-
98
Easy English
"Just imagine," she said, "how stupid and blind I was! I knew nothing of all this till Granny let it all out one day. To me, New York simply meant peace and freedom. It was coming home.
"I was so happy among my own people. Everyone I met seemed kind and good, and glad to see me.
"But from the beginning," she went on, "no one was as kind as you. No one gave reasons I understood for doing what seemed hard and unnecessary. The very good people didn't convince me. Nothing had ever pulled at them.
"But you knew. You understood. You felt the world outside pulling at you with all its hands of gold."
"And yet you hated what it asks in return. You hated happiness bought by broken faith, by cruel acts, by hearts that don't care."
"I never knew that before, and it's better than anything I've known."
Source English
"Just imagine," she said, "how stupid and unobservant I was! I knew nothing of all this till Granny blurted it out one day. New York simply meant peace and freedom to me: it was coming home. And I was so happy at being among my own people that every one I met seemed kind and good, and glad to see me. But from the very beginning," she continued, "I felt there was no one as kind as you; no one who gave me reasons that I understood for doing what at first seemed so hard and--unnecessary. The very good people didn't convince me; I felt they'd never been tempted. But you knew; you understood; you had felt the world outside tugging at one with all its golden hands--and yet you hated the things it asks of one; you hated happiness bought by disloyalty and cruelty and indifference. That was what I'd never known before--and it's better than anything I've known."
-
99
Easy English
She spoke in a low, even voice, without tears. Each word, as it dropped from her, fell into his breast like burning metal. He sat bowed over, his head between his hands. He stared at the carpet, and at the tip of the satin shoe under her dress.
Suddenly he went down on his knees and kissed the tip of that shoe.
Source English
She spoke in a low even voice, without tears or visible agitation; and each word, as it dropped from her, fell into his breast like burning lead. He sat bowed over, his head between his hands, staring at the hearth rug, and at the tip of the satin shoe that showed under her dress. Suddenly he knelt down and kissed the shoe.
-
100
Easy English
She bent over him and laid her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes were so deep that he could not move under her look.
Source English
She bent over him, laying her hands on his shoulders, and looking at him with eyes so deep that he remained motionless under her gaze.
-
101
Easy English
"Ah, don't let us undo what you have done!" she cried. "I can't go back now to that other way of thinking. I can't love you unless I give you up."
Source English
"Ah, don't let us undo what you've done!" she cried. "I can't go back now to that other way of thinking. I can't love you unless I give you up."
-
102
Easy English
His arms reached up for her. But she drew away, and they stood facing each other, divided by the distance her words made. Then, all at once, his anger boiled over.
Source English
His arms were yearning up to her; but she drew away, and they remained facing each other, divided by the distance that her words had created. Then, abruptly, his anger overflowed.
-
103
Easy English
"And Beaufort? Is he to take my place?"
Source English
"And Beaufort? Is he to replace me?"
-
104
Easy English
He was ready for an answering flash of anger. He would even welcome it, as fuel for his own. But Madame Olenska only grew a little paler. She stood with her arms hanging before her and her head a little bent. It was her way when she thought a question through.
Source English
As the words sprang out he was prepared for an answering flare of anger; and he would have welcomed it as fuel for his own. But Madame Olenska only grew a shade paler, and stood with her arms hanging down before her, and her head slightly bent, as her way was when she pondered a question.
-
105
Easy English
"He's waiting for you now at Mrs. Struthers's. Why don't you go to him?" Archer said. His voice was bitter and unkind.
Source English
"He's waiting for you now at Mrs. Struthers's; why don't you go to him?" Archer sneered.
-
106
Easy English
She turned to ring the bell. "I shall not go out this evening," she said when the maid came. "Tell the carriage to go and bring back the Signora Marchesa." The Italian words meant the lady Marchioness.
Source English
She turned to ring the bell. "I shall not go out this evening; tell the carriage to go and fetch the Signora Marchesa," she said when the maid came.
-
107
Easy English
After the door closed again, Archer went on looking at her with bitter eyes. "Why this sacrifice? You tell me that you're lonely. Then I have no right to keep you from your friends."
Source English
After the door had closed again Archer continued to look at her with bitter eyes. "Why this sacrifice? Since you tell me that you're lonely I've no right to keep you from your friends."
-
108
Easy English
She smiled a little, her eyes still wet. "I shall not be lonely now. I was lonely. I was afraid."
"But the emptiness and the darkness are gone. When I turn back into myself now, I am like a child at night. I go into a room where there is always a light."
Source English
She smiled a little under her wet lashes. "I shan't be lonely now. I was lonely; I was afraid. But the emptiness and the darkness are gone; when I turn back into myself now I'm like a child going at night into a room where there's always a light."
-
109
Easy English
Her tone and her look wrapped her in a soft distance that he could not cross. Archer broke out again, "I don't understand you!"
Source English
Her tone and her look still enveloped her in a soft inaccessibility, and Archer groaned out again: "I don't understand you!"
-
110
Easy English
"Yet you understand May!"
Source English
"Yet you understand May!"
-
111
Easy English
His face grew red under the blow, but he kept his eyes on her. "May is ready to give me up."
Source English
He reddened under the retort, but kept his eyes on her. "May is ready to give me up."
-
112
Easy English
"What! Three days after you begged her on your knees to hurry your marriage?"
Source English
"What! Three days after you've entreated her on your knees to hasten your marriage?"
-
113
Easy English
"She refused. That gives me the right —"
Source English
"She's refused; that gives me the right--"
-
114
Easy English
"Ah, you've taught me what an ugly word that is," she said.
Source English
"Ah, you've taught me what an ugly word that is," she said.
-
115
Easy English
He turned away, tired through his whole body. He felt like a man who fought for hours up a steep rock face. Now, just as he reached the top, his hold broke. He was falling head first into the dark.
Source English
He turned away with a sense of utter weariness. He felt as though he had been struggling for hours up the face of a steep precipice, and now, just as he had fought his way to the top, his hold had given way and he was pitching down headlong into darkness.
-
116
Easy English
If he could take her in his arms again, he might sweep her reasons away. But something far away in her look and manner held him at a distance. So did his own sure sense that she meant every word. At last he began to beg again.
Source English
If he could have got her in his arms again he might have swept away her arguments; but she still held him at a distance by something inscrutably aloof in her look and attitude, and by his own awed sense of her sincerity. At length he began to plead again.
-
117
Easy English
"If we do this now, it will be worse afterward, worse for everyone..."
Source English
"If we do this now it will be worse afterward--worse for every one--"
-
118
Easy English
"No, no, no!" she almost screamed, as if he frightened her.
Source English
"No--no--no!" she almost screamed, as if he frightened her.
-
119
Easy English
At that moment the door bell rang, long and thin, through the house. They heard no carriage stop at the door. They stood still, looking at each other with frightened eyes.
Source English
At that moment the bell sent a long tinkle through the house. They had heard no carriage stopping at the door, and they stood motionless, looking at each other with startled eyes.
-
120
Easy English
Outside, Nastasia's step crossed the hall, and the outer door opened. A moment later she brought in a telegram and handed it to the Countess Olenska.
Source English
Outside, Nastasia's step crossed the hall, the outer door opened, and a moment later she came in carrying a telegram which she handed to the Countess Olenska.
-
121
Easy English
"The lady was happy at the flowers," Nastasia said. "She thought her signor marito, her honored husband, sent them. She cried and called it foolish."
Source English
"The lady was very happy at the flowers," Nastasia said, smoothing her apron. "She thought it was her signor marito who had sent them, and she cried a little and said it was a folly."
-
122
Easy English
Madame Olenska smiled and took the yellow envelope. She tore it open and carried it to the lamp. Then, when the door closed, she handed the telegram to Archer.
Source English
Her mistress smiled and took the yellow envelope. She tore it open and carried it to the lamp; then, when the door had closed again, she handed the telegram to Archer.
-
123
Easy English
It came from St. Augustine, addressed to the Countess Olenska. In it he read:
"Granny's telegram worked. Papa and Mamma agree to the marriage after Easter. Am sending a telegram to Newland too. I am too happy for words, and I love you dearly. Your thankful May."
Source English
It was dated from St. Augustine, and addressed to the Countess Olenska. In it he read: "Granny's telegram successful. Papa and Mamma agree marriage after Easter. Am telegraphing Newland. Am too happy for words and love you dearly. Your grateful May."
-
124
Easy English
Half an hour later, Archer unlocked his own front door. On the hall table lay his pile of notes and letters. On top was an envelope of the same yellow kind. The message inside was also from May Welland, and it said:
"Parents agree. Wedding Tuesday after Easter, at twelve, Grace Church, eight bridesmaids. Please see the Rector. So happy. Love, May."
Bridesmaids are young women beside the bride. The Rector led the church.
Source English
Half an hour later, when Archer unlocked his own front-door, he found a similar envelope on the hall-table on top of his pile of notes and letters. The message inside the envelope was also from May Welland, and ran as follows: "Parents consent wedding Tuesday after Easter at twelve Grace Church eight bridesmaids please see Rector so happy love May."
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125
Easy English
Archer crushed the yellow sheet, as if that could destroy its news. He pulled out his diary, a small date book. With shaking fingers, he found nothing. He pushed the telegram into his pocket and went upstairs.
Source English
Archer crumpled up the yellow sheet as if the gesture could annihilate the news it contained. Then he pulled out a small pocket-diary and turned over the pages with trembling fingers; but he did not find what he wanted, and cramming the telegram into his pocket he mounted the stairs.
-
126
Easy English
A light shone from Janey's little private room. Her brother knocked sharply, and the door opened. She wore her old purple dressing-gown, a loose night coat. Her hair was in pins, and her face looked worried.
Source English
A light was shining through the door of the little hall-room which served Janey as a dressing-room and boudoir, and her brother rapped impatiently on the panel. The door opened, and his sister stood before him in her immemorial purple flannel dressing-gown, with her hair "on pins." Her face looked pale and apprehensive.
-
127
Easy English
"Newland! I hope there's no bad news in that telegram? I waited on purpose, in case —" No letter of his was ever safe from Janey.
Source English
"Newland! I hope there's no bad news in that telegram? I waited on purpose, in case--" (No item of his correspondence was safe from Janey.)
-
128
Easy English
He ignored her question. "What day is Easter this year?"
Source English
He took no notice of her question. "Look here--what day is Easter this year?"
-
129
Easy English
She looked shocked that any Christian could ask. "Easter? Newland! Of course, the first week in April. Why?"
Source English
She looked shocked at such unchristian ignorance. "Easter? Newland! Why, of course, the first week in April. Why?"
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130
Easy English
"The first week?" He turned again to the pages of his diary, counting fast under his breath. "The first week, did you say?" He threw back his head with a long laugh.
Source English
"The first week?" He turned again to the pages of his diary, calculating rapidly under his breath. "The first week, did you say?" He threw back his head with a long laugh.
-
131
Easy English
"For pity's sake, what's the matter?"
Source English
"For mercy's sake what's the matter?"
-
132
Easy English
"Nothing's the matter. Only that I'm going to be married in a month."
Source English
"Nothing's the matter, except that I'm going to be married in a month."
-
133
Easy English
Janey threw her arms around his neck and pressed him to the purple wool of her dressing-gown. "Oh, Newland, how wonderful! I'm so glad! But dearest, why do you keep on laughing? Do hush, or you'll wake Mamma."
Source English
Janey fell upon his neck and pressed him to her purple flannel breast. "Oh Newland, how wonderful! I'm so glad! But, dearest, why do you keep on laughing? Do hush, or you'll wake Mamma."