- —四川最大高校综合门户网
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
ELLEN
They're all a little angry with me, I think. For setting up for myself.
ARCHER
Still, your family can advise you...show you the way.
ELLEN
Is New York such a labyrinth? I thought it was so straight up and down, like Fifth
Avenue, with all the cross-streets numbered and big honest labels on everything.
ARCHER
Everything is labeled. But everybody is not.
ELLEN
There are only two people here who make me think they can help and understand. You
and Mr. Beaufort.
ARCHER
(reacts to mention of Beaufort)
I understand. Just don't let go of your old friends' hands so quickly.
ELLEN
Then I must count on you for warnings, too.
ARCHER
All the older women like and admire you. They want to help.
ELLEN
Oh, I know, I know. But only if they don't hear anything unpleasant. Does no one
here want to know the truth, Mr. Archer? The real loneliness is living among all
these kind people who only ask you to pretend.
[She puts her hands to her face and sobs. Archer goes to her quickly, bending over her]
ARCHER
No, no, you musn't. Madame Olenska. Ellen.
ELLEN
No one cries here, either? I suppose there's no need to.
[On the street near a florist shop. Archer is walking home from Ellen's and enters the
flower shop]
FLORIST
Oh, Mr. Archer, good evening. We didn't see you this morning, and weren't sure
whether to send Miss Welland the usual...
ARCHER
The lilies-of-the-valley, yes. We'd better make it a standing order.
[He notices a cluster of yellow roses]
ARCHER
And those roses. I'll give you another address.
[He draws out a card and places it inside the envelope, on which he starts to write
Ellen's name and address. He stops and removes his card and hands the clerk an empty
envelope]
ARCHER
They'll go at once?
[At the aviary the next day]
MAY
It's wonderful to wake every morning with lilies-of-the-valley in my room. It's
like being with you.
ARCHER
They came late yesterday, I know. Somehow the time got away from me.
MAY
Still, you always remember.
ARCHER
I sent some roses to your cousin Ellen, too. Was that right?
MAY
Very right. She didn't mention it at lunch today, though. She said she'd gotten
wonderful orchids from Mr. Beaufort and a whole hamper of carnations from Cousin
Henry van der Luyden. She was so very delighted. Don't people send flowers in
Europe?
[Later in the aviary]
MAY
Well, I know you do consider it a long time.
ARCHER
Very long.
MAY
But the Chivers were engaged for a year and a half. Larry Lefferts and Gertrude
were engaged for two. I'm sure Mama expects something customary.
ARCHER
Ever since you were little your parents let you have your way. You're almost
twenty-two. Just tell your mother what you want.
MAY
But that's why it would be so difficult. I couldn't refuse her the very last thing
she'd ever ask of me as a little girl.
ARCHER
Can't you and I just strike out for ourselves, May?
MAY
(laughing lightly)
Shall we elope?
ARCHER
If you would.
MAY
You do love me, Newland. I'm so happy.
ARCHER
Why not be happier?
MAY
I couldn't be happier, dearest. Did I tell you I showed Ellen the ring you chose?
She thinks it's the most beautiful setting she ever saw. She said there was nothing
like it in the rue de la Paix. I do love you, Newland. Everything you do is so
special.
[Inside the dining room at the Letterblair House that night]
LETTERBLAIR
Countess Olenska wants to sue her husband for divorce. It's been suggested that she
means to marry again, although she denies it.
ARCHER
I beg your pardon, sir. But because of my engagement, perhaps one of the other
members of our firm could consider the matter.
LETTERBLAIR
But precisely because of your prospective alliance...and considering that several
members of the family have already asked for you...I'd like you to consider the
case.
