5

In the drawing room at the van der Luyden House

[In the drawing room at the van der Luyden House.  Ellen Olenska is having a conversation with the Duke as Archer watches.  Ellen then gets up and approaches Archer]

NARRATOR

        It was not the custom in New York drawing rooms for a lady to get up and walk away from one gentleman in order to seek the company of another.  But the Countess did not observe this rule.

ELLEN

        I want you to talk to me about May.

ARCHER

        You knew the Duke before?

ELLEN

        From Nice.  We used to see him every winter.  He's very fond of gambling and used to

        come to our house a great deal.  I think he's the dullest man I ever met.  But he's

        admired here.  I suppose he must seem the very image of traditional Europe.  Can I tell you, though... (mock conspiratorial) ...what most interests me about New York?  It's that nothing has to be traditional here.  All this blind obeying of tradition...somebody else's tradition...is thoroughly needless.  It seems stupid to have discovered America only to make it a copy of another country.  Do you suppose Christopher Columbus would have taken all that trouble just to go to the opera with Larry Lefferts?

ARCHER

        (laughs)

        I think if he knew Lefferts was here the Santa Maria would never have left

        port.

ELLEN

        And May.  Does she share these views?

ARCHER

        If she does, she'd never say so.

ELLEN

        Are you very much in love with her?

ARCHER

        As much as a man can be.

ELLEN

        Do you think there's a limit?

ARCHER

        If there is, I haven't found it.

ELLEN

        Ah, it's really and truly a romance, then.  Not in the least arranged.

ARCHER

        Have you forgotten?  In our country we don't allow marriages to be arranged.

ELLEN

        Yes, I forgot, I'm sorry, I sometimes make these mistakes.  I don't always remember that everything here is good that was...that was bad where I came from.

ARCHER

        I'm so sorry.  But you are among friends here, you know.

ELLEN

        Yes, I know.  That's why I came home.

[May and her mother enter the room]

ELLEN

        You'll want to be with May.

ARCHER

        (looking at the men around May)

        She's already surrounded.  I have so many rivals.

ELLEN

        Then stay with me a little longer.

ARCHER

        Yes.

[They are interrupted by Henry van der Luyden and a guest]

HENRY

        Countess, if I may.  Mr. Urban Dagonet.

[Archer gets up to leave and Ellen holds her hand out to him]

ELLEN

        Tomorrow then.  After five.  I'll expect you.

ARCHER

        Tomorrow.

[Louisa joins Archer]

LOUISA

        It was good of you to devote yourself to Madame Olenska so unselfishly, dear Newland.  I told Henry he really must rescue you.  I think I've never seen May

looking lovelier.  The Duke thinks her the handsomest woman in the room

6

In the drawing room at Ellen's house the next day

[In the drawing room at Ellen's house the next day.  Archer is waiting for Ellen to

return]

[A carriage with Julius Beaufort and the Countess arrives and the Countess gets out and

enters the house]

ELLEN

        Do you like this odd little house?  To me it's like heaven.

ARCHER

        (reaching for the right compliment)

        You've arranged it delightfully.

ELLEN

        Yes.  Some of the things I managed to bring with me.  Little pieces of wreckage.  At least it's less gloomy than the van der Luydens', and not so difficult to be alone.

ARCHER

        (smiles)

        I'm sure it's often thought the van der Luydens' is gloomy, though I've never heard it said before.  But do you really like to be alone?

ELLEN

        As long as my friends keep me from being lonely.

[She sits near the fire and motions him to sit in an armchair near where he's standing]

ELLEN

        I see you've already chosen your corner.  This is the hour I like best, don't you?

ARCHER

        I was afraid you'd forgotten the hour.  I'm sure Beaufort can be very intriguing.

ELLEN

        He took me to see some houses.  I'm told I must move, even though this street seems perfectly respectable.

ARCHER

        Yes, but it's not fashionable.

ELLEN

        Is fashion such a serious consideration?

ARCHER

        Among people who have nothing more serious to consider.

ELLEN

        And how would these people consider my street?

ARCHER

        (lightly, disparagingly)

        Oh, well, fleetingly, I'm afraid.  Look at your neighbors.  Dressmakers.  Bird stuffers.  Cafe owners.

ELLEN

        (smiling)

        I'll count on you to always let me know about such important things.

ARCHER

        The van der Luydens do nothing by halves.  All New York laid itself out for you last night.

ELLEN

        It was so kind.  Such a nice party.

[Archer wants to impress on her the importance of the van der Luydens' gesture]

ARCHER

        The van der Luydens are the most powerful influence in New York society.  And they  receive very seldom, because of cousin Louisa's health.

ELLEN

        Perhaps that's the reason then.

ARCHER

        The reason?

ELLEN

        For their influence.  They make themselves so rare.

[Her observation intrigues him.

ELLEN

        But of course you must tell me.

ARCHER

        No, it's you telling me.

ELLEN

        Then we can both help each other.  Just tell me what to do.

ARCHER

        There are so many people already to tell you what to do.

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

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]

7

In the drawing room at Ellen's house

[In the drawing room at Ellen's house]

ELLEN

        You know painters, then?  You live in their milieu?

ARCHER

        Oh, not exactly.

ELLEN

        But you care for such things?

ARCHER

        Immensely.  When I'm in Paris or London I never miss an exhibition.  I try to keep up.

ELLEN

        I used to care immensely too.  My life was full of such things.  But now I want to cast off all my old life...to become a complete American and try to be like        everybody else.

ARCHER

        You'll never be like everybody else.

ELLEN

        Don't say that to me, please.  I just want to put all the old things behind me.

ARCHER

        I know.  Mr. Letterblair told me.

ELLEN

        Mr. Letterblair?

ARCHER

        Yes, I've come because he asked me to.  I'm in the firm.

ELLEN

        You mean it's you who'll manage everything for me?  I can talk to you?  That's so

        much easier.

ARCHER

        Yes...I'm here to talk about it.  I've read all the legal papers, and the letter

        from the Count.

ELLEN

        It was vile.

ARCHER

        But if he chooses to fight the case, he can say things that might be unpleas...might be disagreeable to you.  Say them publicly, so that they could be damaging even if...

ELLEN

        If?

ARCHER

        Even if they were unfounded.

ELLEN

        What harm could accusations like that do me here?

ARCHER

        Perhaps more harm than anywhere else.  Our legislation favors divorce.  But our

        social customs don't.

ELLEN

        Yes.  So my family tells me.  Our family.  You'll be my cousin soon.  And you agree with them?

ARCHER

        If what your husband hints is true, or you have no way of disproving it...yes.  What could you possibly gain that would make up for the scandal.

ELLEN

        My freedom.  Is that nothing?

ARCHER

        But aren't you free already?  It's my business to help you see things just the way the people who are fondest of you see them, all your friends and relations.  If I        didn't show you honestly how they judge such questions, it wouldn't be fair of me,        would it?

ELLEN

        No.  It wouldn't be fair.  Very well.  I'll do as you wish.

ARCHER

        I do...I do want to help you.

ELLEN

        You do help me.

[Archer stands up]

ELLEN

        Good night, cousin.

8

In the drawing room at Ellen's house

ARCHER

        (under pressure)

        May and I had a frank talk in Florida.  Probably our first.  She wants a long engagement to give me time...

ELLEN