In Paris, she ordered her clothes.
There were trunks of dresses from Worth.
They visited the Tuileries.
May's hands were modeled in marble at Rochet's studio.
And occasionally, they dined out.
But tell me, you were saying you were actually advised by Maupassant?
Unfortunately, I was advised not to write.
Archer embraced his new marriage...
...even as he reverted to his old ideas about matrimony.
It was less trouble to conform with tradition.
There was no use trying to emancipate a wife...
...who hadn't the dimmest notion that she wasn't free.
In London we only managed one day at the National.
We were taken up by a Mrs. Carfry and Mrs. Harle.
We had a good talk.
He's interesting. We talked about books and many different things.
I thought I'd invite him to dinner.
- The Frenchman? - Yes.
I didn't have much chance to talk to him, but wasn't he a little common?
Common?
I thought he was clever.
I suppose I shouldn't have known if he was clever.
Then I won't ask him to dine.
With a chill, he knew that in future...
...many problems would be solved for him in this same way.
...and after that...
...they would have nearly finished polishing down all the rough edges.
But May's pressure was already wearing down...
...the very roughness he most wanted to keep.
As for the madness with Madame Olenska, he trained himself...
...to remember it as the last of his discarded experiments.
She remained in his memory simply as the most plaintive...
...and poignant...
...of a line of ghosts.
She's very deft.
That's the only kind of target she'll ever hit.
No one could ever be jealous of May's triumphs.
She gave the feeling that she would've been just as serene without them.
But what if all her calm, her niceness...
...were just a negation...
...a curtain dropped in front of an emptiness?
Archer felt he had never yet lifted that curtain.
Quite stunning, isn't it?
It's Julius Beaufort who donates the club's prizes, isn't it?
This looks like him, of course. It will make quite an heirloom.
You should leave it to your eldest daughter.
What? Will there be no daughters?
Only sons? Can't I say that either? Look at her blushing.
Ellen! Ellen! Are you upstairs?
She's over from Portsmouth, spending the day.
Insists on putting up with those-- What's their name? Blenkers.
But I gave up arguing with young people 50 years ago.
I'm sorry, ma'am. Miss Ellen's not in the house.
- She's left? - I saw her going down the shore path.
Run down and fetch her like a good grandson.
May and I will have a gossip about Julius Beaufort.
Go ahead. She'll want to see you both.
Is it true Beaufort has given Annie Ring a diamond bracelet?
I hear he even plans to bring her to Newport.
He'd heard her name often during the year and a half since they'd last met.
He was even familiar with the main incidents of her life.
But he heard all these accounts with detachment...
...as if listening to reminiscences of someone long dead.
But the past had come again into the present...
...as in those newly discovered caverns in Tuscany...
...where children had lit bunches of straw...
...and seen old images staring from the wall.
He gave himself a single chance.
She must turn before the sailboat crosses the Lime Rock light.
Then he would go to her.
I'm sorry you didn't find her, but I've heard she's changed.
Changed?
So indifferent to her old friends. Summering in Portsmouth.
Moving to Washington. Sometimes, I think we've always bored her.
Perhaps she'd be happier with her husband after all.
- I've never heard you be cruel before. - Cruel?
Even demons don't think people are happier in hell.
Then she shouldn't have married abroad.
Let me.
Walk on.
The Blenkers?
A party for the Blenkers?
Who are they?
The Portsmouth people. The ones Ellen is staying with.
...at 3:00 punctually to meet Mrs. and the Misses Blenker.
Red Gables, Catherine Street."
I don't think we can decline.
I don't see why, really. He's an archaeologist--
And he's Sillerton Jackson's cousin.
- Of course. - Some of us will have to go.
I'm sure Ellen will be there. You'll have a chance to see her.
Newland, you can find a way to spend your afternoon, can't you?
I think for a change I'll just save it instead of spending it.
Maybe I'll go see about a new horse for the brougham.
At least the Jacksons didn't pick the day of the Cup Race for their party.
Hello?
I'm sorry, did you ring? I've been asleep in the hammock.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
I've heard so much about you.
I came up to look for a new horse. I thought I'd call, but no one's home.
Yes, they're all at the party.
Everyone's there but me with my fever and Countess Olenska.
Oh, you found my parasol!
It's my best one. It's from the Cameroons.
It's very pretty.
The countess was called away?
Yes, a telegram came from Boston. She said she might be gone two days.
I do love the way she does her hair, don't you?
It reminds me of Sir Walter Scott.
You don't know-- I have to be in Boston tomorrow.
Do you know where she's staying?
I'm here on business. I just got here, actually.
- Your hair is different. - My maid's not with me.
She stayed in Portsmouth. I'm here only two days. It's not worthwhile.
You are traveling alone?
Yes. Why? Do you think it's a little dangerous?
- Well, it's unconventional. - Yes, I suppose it is.
I refused to take back money that belonged to me.
Someone came with an offer?
What were the conditions?
- I refused. - Tell me the conditions.
Nothing unbearable, really. To sit at the head of his table now and then.
And he wants you back at any price?
Well, it's a considerable price.
At least, it's considerable for me.
So you came to see him?
My husband? Here? No, of course not.
He sent someone.
His secretary?
Yes.
He's still here. He insisted on...
...waiting in case I changed my mind.
You haven't changed, Newland.
I had changed until I saw you again.
Please don't.
Just give me the day. I won't speak unless you tell me to.
All I want is some time with you.
Is that man coming to the hotel?
- At 1 1 :00, just-- - We must go now.
- I must leave a note at the hotel. - Write on this.
I have the paper. You see how everything is predestined?
And these, have you seen this? The new stylographic pen.
It's like jerking down the mercury in a thermometer.
Try that.
It's not working.
That should do it.
- Shall I take it in? - I'll be only a moment.
Because you didn't turn around.
I swore I wouldn't call you unless you turned around.
But I didn't look around on purpose.
You knew?
I recognized the carriage when you drove in.
So I went to the beach.
To get as far away from me as you could.
- As I could, yes. - It's better we face each other.
- I only want to be honest with you. - Isn't that why you admire Beaufort?
He's more honest than the rest of us. We've no character...
...no color, no variety.
Why don't you just go back to Europe?
- I believe that's because of you. - Me?
I married one woman because another told me to.
You promised not to say such things today.
I can't keep that promise.
What about May? What about how May feels?
If you're using my marriage as some victory...
...then there's no reason why you shouldn't go back.
You gave me my first glimpse of a real life...
...and then you told me to carry on with a false one.
No one can endure that.
I'm enduring it.
- I know you'll go back. - I won't.
Not yet. Not as long as we both can stand it.
- This is not a life for you. - It is.
As long as it's part of yours.
You won't go back?
I won't go back.
...at the theater or a reception.
Perhaps he might be seated next to her.
Perhaps they might have another time alone somewhere.
But he could not live without seeing her.
Mr. Archer, I think?
My name is Riviere.
I dined with you in Paris last year.
Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't quite recall.
I had the advantage. I saw you in Boston, yesterday.
I came here on Count Olenski's behalf because...
...I believed in all good faith that she should return to him.
Forgive me, Monsieur...
...but I really don't understand your purpose in coming to see me.
She's changed, Monsieur.
You knew her before?
I used to see her at her husband's house.
The count would not have entrusted my mission to a stranger.
This change that you mentioned....
It may be my seeing her for the first time...
...as she is, as an American.
She made her marriage in good faith.
It was a faith the count could not share.
Could not understand.
So her faith was....
Broken.
Destroyed.
Returning to Europe would mean a life of some comfort...
...and considerable sacrifice...
...and I would think, no hope.
I will fulfill my obligation to the count and meet with the family.
I will tell them what he suggests and wishes for the countess.
But I ask you to use your influence with them.
I beg you, do not let her go back.
When old Mrs. Baxter Pennilow died, they found her standing order...
...48 Worth dresses, still wrapped in tissue paper.
...they wore the first lot to the symphony...
He had written to her once in Washington.
Just a few lines, asking when they were to meet again.
And she wrote back, "Not yet. "
I think Julius Beaufort started the new fashion...
...by making his wife wear her new clothes when they arrived.
I must say, it takes all Regina's distinction not to look like--
- Her rivals? - Like that Annie Ring.
- Careful, dear. - Everybody knows.
Indeed. Beaufort always put his business around.
Now that his business is gone, there will be disclosures.
- Gone? Is it really that bad? - As bad as anything I ever heard of.
Most everybody we know will be hit one way or another.
Very difficult for Regina, of course.
And it's a pity that Countess Olenska refused her husband's offer.
Why, for God's sake?
To put it on the lowest ground, what will she live on now?
Now that Beaufort--
What the hell does that mean, sir?
...and the allowance she gets from the family is cut back--
- I'm sure she has something. - A little.
Whatever remains, after sustaining more debt.
I know the family paid close attention to Riviere...
...and considered his offer carefully.
If everyone rather she be Beaufort's mistress than a wife...
...you've gone about it perfectly.
She won't go back.
That's your opinion?
Well, no doubt you know.
She might soften Mrs. Mingott, who could give her any kind of allowance.
But the rest of the family don't want to keep her here.
They'll simply let her...
...find her own level.
Thank you.
The lamp is smoking again. The servant should fix it.
I'm sorry.
I may have to go to Washington for a few days.
When?
Tomorrow. I'm sorry, I should have said it before.
On business?
There's a patent case coming up before the Supreme Court.
I just got the papers from Letterblair.
Never mind. It's too complicated. I have enough trouble with this lamp.
Let me try that.
The change will do you good.
And you must be sure to go and see Ellen.
This came for you while you were out.
- Do something about this, will you? - Certainly, sir.
Granny's had a stroke.
A stroke?
Ridiculous.
I told them all it was just an excess of Thanksgiving.
Dr. Bencomb acted most concerned and insisted on notifying everyone...
...as if it were the last reading of my will. You're dear to come.
But perhaps you only wanted to see what I'd left you.
Granny, that's shocking!
It was shock that did this to me. No, thank you.
It's all due to Regina Beaufort.
She came here last night...
...and she asked me....
She asked me.... She had the effrontery...
...to ask me to back Julius.
"Not to desert him," she said.
"To stand behind our common lineage in the Townsend family."
If you back Julius, you can see the family through.
If you don't...
...we will all...
...everyone of us, fall into dishonor.
I said to her: Honor's always been honor...
...and honesty's always been honesty in the Mingott house...
And then she said, if you can believe this, "But my name, Auntie."
But my name, Auntie!
- My name's Regina Townsend! - I said to her:
Your name was Beaufort when he covered you with jewels...
...and it's got to stay Beaufort now that he's covered you with shame.
Then I gave out.
Simply gave out.
And now family is arriving expecting a funeral...
...and they'll have to be entertained.
I don't know how many notes Bencomb sent out.
- If there's anything we can do. - Well, Ellen is coming.
I expressly asked for her.
If May sends the brougham, I'll take the ferry.
Fine.
Fine. Thank you.
There, you see, Granny, everyone will be settled.
Thank you, dear. Bless you.
I didn't want to worry Granny...
...but how can you meet Ellen if you have to go to Washington today?
I'm not going. The case is postponed. I heard from Letterblair this morning.
Postponed? How odd.
Mama had a note from him this morning too.
He was concerned about Granny but had to be away.
He was arguing a patent case before the Supreme Court.
You did say it was a patent case?
The whole office can't go. Letterblair decided to go himself.
Then it's not postponed?
No, but my going is.
He knew it was two hours by ferry and carriage...
...from the Pennsylvania terminus in Jersey City to Mrs. Mingott's.
All of two hours and maybe a little more.
- You didn't expect me? - No.
I nearly came to Washington. We would've missed each other.
Granny Mingott sent me. She's much better.
- You know, I hardly remembered you. - Hardly remembered?
I mean, each time is the same.
You happen to me all over again.
Yes, I know.
For me too.
Ellen, we can't stay like this. It can't last.
- We must look at reality, not dreams. - I want us to be together.
I can't be your wife. Is it your idea I should be your mistress?
I want us to find a world where words like that don't exist.
Oh, my dear.
Where is that country? Have you ever been there?
Can we be happy behind the backs of people who trust us?
- I'm beyond caring about that. - No, you're not.
You've never been beyond that.
I have.
I know what it looks like. It's no place for us.
Why are we stopping? This isn't Granny's.
I'll get out here.
You were right, I shouldn't have come today.
What are you reading?
Why?
I don't know.
Because it's a different country.
You used to read poetry.
It was so nice when you read it to me.
You'll catch your death.
Of course.
I've been dead for months and months. "
Then it occurred to him that she might die.
People did. Young people, healthy people did.
She might die and set him free.
- I didn't know when you were leaving. - I'm not leaving.
Granny's asked me to take care of her.
- Then we must talk now. - I'm due at Regina's.
Granny lent me her carriage.
Granny says Beaufort's a scoundrel, but so is my husband...
...and the family wants me to return to him.
Only Granny understands. She's even seen to my allowance.
- I must see you somewhere alone. - In New York?
Where we can be alone.
The art museum in the park. 2:30 tomorrow.
I'll be at the door.
You came to New York because you were afraid.
- Afraid? - Of my coming to Washington.
I thought I would be safer.
Safer from me?
Ellen?
Safer from loving me?
Shall I come to you once and then go home?
When?
Tomorrow.
The day after.
I'm sorry I'm late. You weren't worried, were you?
- Is it late? - It's past 7.
I stayed at Granny's because Ellen came in.
We had a wonderful talk. She was so dear.
Just like the old Ellen. Granny was so charmed by her.
You can see how the family's been annoyed with her at times.
Going to see Regina Beaufort in Granny's carriage.
Are we dining out tonight?
It was the custom in old New York for brides to appear...
...in their wedding dress during the first years of marriage.
But May, since returning from Europe...
...had not worn her bridal satin until this evening.
May, I'm sorry.
My head's bursting. Please don't tell anyone. Come home with me.
Shouldn't you rest?
My head's not as bad as that.
And there's something important I must say to you right away.
There's something that I've got to tell you...
...about myself.
Madame Olenska--
Why should we talk about Ellen tonight?
Because I should have spoken before--
Is it really worthwhile?
I know I've been unfair to her at times. Perhaps we all have.
You understood her better than us, but does it matter now that it's over?
How do you mean, "over"?
Why, since she's going back to Europe so soon.
Granny approves and understands. She's disappointed...
...but she's arranged to make Ellen financially independent of the count.
I thought you would have heard today at your offices.
- It's impossible. - Impossible?
She could stay with Granny's money, but I guess she's given us up.
How do you know that?
From Ellen. I told you, I saw her at Granny's yesterday.
And she told you yesterday?
No.
She sent me a note this afternoon.
Do you want to see it?
I thought you knew.
"May, dear: I have at last made Granny understand...
...that my visit to her could be no more than a visit.
And she has been as kind and generous as ever. "
She sees now that if I return to Europe, I must live by myself.
I am hurrying back to Washington to pack up, and I sail next week.
Be very good to Granny when I'm gone.
As good as you've always been to me.
If friends wish to urge me to stay, tell them it'd be utterly useless.
"--tell them it'd be utterly useless. "
Why did she write this?
I suppose because we talked things over yesterday.
What things?
I told her that I was afraid I hadn't always been fair to her...
...and hadn't always understood how hard it must have been for her.
I knew she could always count on you...
...and I wanted her to know that you and I were the same in our feelings.
She understood why I wanted to tell her this.
I think she understands everything.
My head aches too.
- Good night, dear. - Good night.
It was, as Mrs. Archer said, a great event for a young couple...
...to give their first dinner. It was not to be undertaken lightly.
There was a hired chef, two borrowed footmen, roses from Hendersons...
...Roman punch, and menus on gilt-edged cards.
It was a particular triumph that the van der Luydens...
...at May's request...
...stayed in the city to be present at her farewell dinner...
...for the Countess Olenska.
Archer saw all the harmless-looking people at the table...
...as a band of quiet conspirators...
...with himself and Ellen the center of their conspiracy.
He guessed he had been, for months...
...the center of countless silently observing eyes...
...and patiently listening ears.
He understood that, somehow...
...the separation between himself and the partner of his guilt was achieved.
And he knew that now the whole tribe had rallied around his wife.
He was a prisoner in the center of an armed camp.
Regina's illness doesn't stop Beaufort...
...from devoting as much time to Annie Ring as he can.
Best thing for Beaufort...
...would be to go stay at Regina's place in North Carolina.
He could breed trotters.
And the key to his release had been returned the day before...
...by mail, unopened.
He may stay here as a challenge to the outrage he's created.
Perhaps he'll run for office.
Then will Annie Ring be his first lady?
Was your trip from Washington tiring?
The heat on the train was dreadful...
...but all travel has its hardships.
They're worth it, just to get away.
I mean to do a lot of traveling soon.
What about a little adventure, Philip? Athens and Smyrna, maybe.
- Maybe even Constantinople. - Possibly.
- But not Naples.
Dr. Bencomb says there's a fever.
Oh, really? A fever in Naples.
- There's always India. - You need three weeks for India.
Absolutely.
Beaufort may not receive invitations, but he maintains a certain position.
Horizontal, I hear.
If this continues, we'll see our children...
...socializing with swindlers and marrying Beaufort's bastards.
Has he got any?
Careful there, gentlemen. Draw it mild.
Society has a history of tolerating vulgar women, after all.
Up to a point.
Have you ever noticed it's the people with the worst cooks...
...who always yell about being poisoned when they dine out.
Lefferts used to be a little more adept, I thought.
But then, grace is not always required...
...as long as one knows the steps.
I've never heard Lefferts so abound...
...in the sentiments that adorn Christian manhood.
Indignation lends a scathing eloquence almost as effective as fear.
The pressure at home must be unrelenting.
I never expected to hear such a paean to the sanctity of the home.
The silent organization...
...which held this whole small world together...
...was determined to put itself on record.
It had never for a moment questioned...
...the propriety of Madame Olenska's conduct.
It had never questioned Archer's fidelity.
And it had never heard of, suspected or even conceived possible...
...anything at all to the contrary.
From the seamless performance of this ritual...
...Archer knew that New York believed him to be Madame Olenska's lover.
We were discussing the ball.
We have it during Easter week, to benefit the blind.
And he understood for the first time...
...that his wife shared the belief.
You must come visit me when you do.
I'll write to you when I'm settled and let you know where I am.
That would be lovely.
Shall I see you to your carriage?
We're driving dear Ellen home.
Goodbye.
I'll see you soon in Paris.
Oh, if you and May could come.
Shall we make our way to the carriage?
- Delightful evening. - Good night.
Good night, Sillerton, Larry.
- It did go off beautifully, didn't it? - Oh, yes.
- May I come in and talk it over? - Of course.
- But you must be very sleepy. - No, I'd like to be with you.
Fine.
If you feel up to it, May...
I tried to talk to you the other evening.
- Yes, dear, something about yourself. - About myself, yes.
It's difficult to find the right words.
...and I think...
...each day a little more so.
It would be better for everyone if I were to make a break.
You mean, give up the law?
Certainly that would be a part of it, and also just...
...to get away.
I'd like to do some traveling.
To Europe or....
How far?
I don't know. I thought...
...India or Japan.
As far as that.
Well....
I'm afraid you can't, dear.
Not unless you take me with you.
That is, if the doctors let me go. I'm afraid they won't.
I've been sure since this morning, and I've been longing to tell you.
Oh, my dear.
You didn't guess?
Have you told anyone else?
Only Mama and your mother...
...and Ellen.
I told you we had a long talk, and how wonderful she was.
Did you mind my telling her?
Mind? Why should I?
That was two weeks ago, wasn't it?
I thought you just said you weren't sure till today.
I wasn't sure then, but I told her I was.
And you see...
...I was right.
It was the room in which most of the real things...
Their eldest boy, Theodore...
...too delicate to be taken to church in midwinter...
...was christened there.
I baptize thee in the name of the Father...
...and of the Son...
...and of the Holy Spirit.
It was here that Ted took his first steps.
And here that Archer and his wife...
...always discussed the future of all their children:
Bill's interest in archeology.
Mary's passion for sports and philanthropy.
Ted's inclination toward art that led to a job with an architect...
...as well as some considerable redecoration.
It was in this room that Mary announced her engagement...
I'm so happy for you.
...to the dullest and most reliable of Larry Lefferts' many sons.
And it was in this room too that her father kissed her...
...through her wedding veil before they had motored to Grace Church.
When May died of infectious pneumonia after nursing Bill safely through...
...he honestly mourned her.
The world of her youth had fallen into pieces...
...and rebuilt itself without her ever noticing.
This hard, bright blindness...
...made her children conceal their views from her, just like Archer.
She died thinking the world a good place...
...full of loving and harmonious households like her own.
Newland Archer, in his 57th year...
...mourned his past and honored it.
Yes, hello?
Chicago wants you.
- Dad? - Is that you, Ted?
Dad, my client wants me to look at some gardens before I start designing.
Sounds fine. Where?
- Europe. - Gracious.
I'll sail next Wednesday on the Mauretania.
And miss the wedding?
I'll be back on the 1st. Our wedding's not till the 5th.
I'm surprised you remembered the date.
I was hoping you'd join me. - What?
I'll need you to remind me of what's important.
- Our last father-son trip. - I appreciate the invitation--
Wonderful. Can you call the Cunard office tomorrow?
I'd need to cancel my--
I won't hear it. The Atlantic is calling us.
I'll be in New York on Monday.
- You'll be in--? - On Monday.
I'll see what I can do.
I can't promise anything. I'll see what I can do, all right?
I'm going to Versailles with Tourneur. Will you come?
I'm going to the Louvre.
I'll meet you there later. Countess Olenska expects us at 5:30.
- What?! - Didn't I tell you?
Annie made me swear to do three things in Paris:
Get her the score of the last Debussy songs...
...go to the Grand Guignol and see Madame Olenska.
She was good to Annie when Mr. Beaufort sent her to the Sorbonne.
Wasn't the countess friendly with his first wife?
Mr. Beaufort said that she was.
In any case, I called the countess this morning...
- ...introduced myself as her cousin-- - Did you tell her I was here?
Of course. Why not?
Lovely?
I don't know.
She was different.
...it had been abstractly, serenely...
...like an imaginary loved one in a book or picture.
She had become the complete vision of all that he had missed.
I'm only 57.
Did Mr. Beaufort really have a bad time when he remarried?
No one wanted to give him an inch.
As if anyone remembers anymore.
Or cares.
Well, Annie Ring and he did have a lovely daughter.
You're very lucky.
We're very lucky, you mean.
Of course that's what I mean.
Considering how that turned out and all the time that's passed...
...how can you resist?
I had some resistance at first to your marriage--
I mean resist seeing the woman you almost threw everything over for.
Only you didn't.
I didn't?
No.
But Mother said she knew we would be safe.
The day before she died, she asked to see me alone, remember?
She said she knew we were safe with you and always would be...
...because once when she asked you to...
...you gave up the thing that you wanted most.
She never asked.
She never asked me.
After a little while he did not regret Ted's indiscretion.
It seemed to take an iron band from his heart to know...
...that after all, someone had guessed and pitied.
And that it should have been his wife, moved him inexpressibly.
The porter says it's the third floor.
Must be the one with the awnings.
It's nearly 6.
I think I'll just sit for a while.
- You really won't come at all? - I don't know.
She won't understand.
Go on, Ted. Maybe I'll follow you.
What will I tell her?
Don't you always have something to say?
I'll say you're old-fashioned and insist on walking up...
Just say I'm old-fashioned.
That should be enough. Go on.
Go on.
Edited By Tameem666