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The Age of Innocence[At the Theatre in the evening. Newland Archer enters the box. Steps to the front,joining the company of several men, including Larry Lefferts and Sillerton Jackson. Larrylooks at stage through pearl opera glasses. Then he swings his opera glasses away fromthe stage and t
shouldn't we talk about it now? You might have made a mistake.
ARCHER
If I'd made some sort of mistake, would I be down here asking you to hurry our
marriage?
MAY
I don't know. You might. It would be one way to settle the question. At Newport,
two years ago, before we were...promised...everyone said there was...someone else
for you. I even saw you sitting together with her once, I think. On a verandah,
at a dance. When she came back into the house, her face was sad, and I felt sorry
for her. Even after, when we were engaged, I could see how she looked.
ARCHER
Is that what you've been concerned about? That's long past.
MAY
Then is there something else?
ARCHER
Of course not.
MAY
(rushing on)
Whatever it may have been, Newland, I couldn't have my happiness made out of a wrong
to somebody else. We couldn't build a life on a foundation like that. If promises
were made...or pledges...if you said something to the...the person we've spoken
of...if you feel in some way pledged to her...and there's any way you can fulfill
your pledge...even by her getting a divorce...Newland, don't give her up because of
me!
ARCHER
There are no pledges. There are no promises that matter.
[May looks as if a great weight had been taken from her]
ARCHER
That is all I've been trying to say. There is no one between us, May. There is
nothing between us. That is precisely my argument for marrying quickly.
NARRATOR
He could feel her dropping back to inexpressive girlishness. Her conscience had
been eased of its burden. It was wonderful, he thought, how such depths of feeling
could co-exist with such an absense of imagination.
[In the drawing room at Mrs. Mingott's House. Mrs. Mingott and Archer are having tea and
talking]
MRS. MINGOTT
And did you succeed?
ARCHER
No. But I'd still like to be married in April. With your help.
MRS. MINGOTT
Well, you're seeing the Mingott way. When I built this house the family reacted as
if I was moving to California. Now you're challenging everyone.
ARCHER
Is this really so difficult?
MRS. MINGOTT
The entire family is difficult. Not one of them wants to be different. And when
they are different they end up like Ellen's parents. Nomads. Continental
wanderers. Or like dear Medora, dragging Ellen about after they died, lavishing
her with an expensive but incoherent education. Out of all of them, I don't believe
there's one that takes after me but my little Ellen.
(smiling)
You've got a quick eye. Why in the world didn't you marry her?
ARCHER
(laughs)
For one thing, she wasn't there to be married.
MRS. MINGOTT
No, to be sure. And she's still not. The Count, you know. He's sent a letter.
ARCHER
No, I didn't know.
MRS. MINGOTT
Mr. Letterblair says the Count wants Ellen back. On her own terms.
ARCHER
I don't believe it.
MRS. MINGOTT
The Count certainly does not defend himself. I will say that. And Ellen would be
giving up a great deal to stay here. There's her old life. Gardens at Nice with
terraces of roses. Jewels, of course. Music and conversation. She says she goes
unnoticed in Europe, but I know that her portrait has been painted nine times. All
that, and the remorse of a guilty husband. Ellen says she cares for none of it, but
still. These are things that must be weighted.
ARCHER
I would rather see her dead.
MRS. MINGOTT
(shrewdly)
Would you? Would you really? We should remember marriage is marriage. And Ellen
is still a wife.
[Behind Mrs. Mingott, the dorrs open and Ellen enters]
MRS. MINGOTT
Ellen, see who's here.
ELLEN
Yes, I know.
(to Archer)
I went to see your mother to ask where you'd gone. Since you never answered my
note.
MRS. MINGOTT
Because he was in such a rush to get married, I'm sure. Fresh off the train and
straight here. He wants me to use all my influence, just to marry his sweetheart
sooner.
ELLEN
Well surely, Granny, between us we can persuade the Wellands to do as he wishes.
MRS. MINGOTT
There, Newland, you see. Right to the quick of the problem. Like me.
(to Ellen)
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