"Mr Selden, what luck." " Good luck?" "Yes... I'm on my way to Gus Trenor's at Bellomont... and I've missed the three-fifteen to Rhinebeck... and there isn't another train till half past five." "How nice that you come to my rescue." "What form should my rescue take?" "Oh, almost any." "Shall we go to Sherry's for tea?" "I'm dying for a cup of tea, but isn't there a quieter place?" "I live near here." "At the Benedick still?" "Yes." "On the top floor." "is it cool up there?" "Come up and see." "I'll take the risk." "Oh, how delicious to have a place like this all to oneself." "Even women have been known to enjoy the privileges of a flat." "Governesses, yes, but not poor marriageable girls." "I even knew a girl who once lived in a flat." "Oh, if I could only do over my aunt's drawing room... I should be a better woman." "is it so bad?" "That shows how seldom you come there." "Why don't you come oftener?" "When I do come, it's not to look at Mrs Peniston's furniture." "Nonsense." "You don't come at all." "Yet we get on so well when we meet." "Cream or lemon?" "Lemon." "I can't make you out." "Of course there are men who dislike me... and others who are afraid of me." "They think I want to marry them." "But I don't think you dislike me." "And you can't possibly think I want to marry you." "No, I absolve you from that." "Well then?" "well, perhaps that's the reason." "The reason for what?" "The fact you don't want to marry me." "Perhaps I don't see that as a strong inducement to go see you." "Dear Mr Selden... it's stupid of you to be disingenuous... and it's not like you to be stupid." "I've been about too long." "People are getting tired of me." "They're saying I ought to marry." "Isn't marriage your vocation?" "What you're all brought up for?" "I suppose so." "So why not take the plunge and have it over?" "You collect, do you?" "First editions and things?" "And do you collect Americana?" "No, that's rather out of my line." "And Americana are horribly dull, I suppose?" "I should fancy so." "Except to the historian." "And yet they do fetch such fabulous prices, don't they?" "Oh, only the very rich can afford to buy them." "And you know that I'm not rich." "But life is very expensive." "Do you mind not being rich?" "And having to work... do you mind that?" "Oh, the work itself is not so bad." "I'm rather fond of the law." "But do you mind enough to have to marry to get out of it?" "God forbid." "You see, there's the difference." "A girl must, and a man if he chooses." "Perhaps you'll meet your fate tonight at the Trenor's." "I thought you might go there." "Those big parties bore me." "As they do me." "Then why go?" "You forget... it's part of the business." "Good luck at Bellomont." "Miss Bart?" "Well, of all people." "Oh, Mr Rosedale." "How are you?" "Been up town doing some shopping?" "Yes." "I came up to see my dressmaker." "I didn't know there were any dressmakers at the Benedick." "That's the name of this building?" "Yes." "I own it." "The name means "confirmed bachelor"." "I'm on my way to the Trenor's." "Let me take you to the station." "No." "Thank you." "You are very kind... but I don't want to trouble you." "Mr Gryce, it's you." "The seat next to me is empty." "Do take it." "I suppose you're off to Bellomont." "Yes." "For a week." "Awhole week?" "How delicious." "How are you getting on with your Americana?" "I've got a few new things." "Your uncle had a very fine collection, I believe." "Yes, he collected for a number of years, but... I must have this seat, Lily..." "Mr Gryce." "How do you do?" "I came this morning from Mount Kisco in the motor car." "Had to kick my heels at Garrison's for an hour... without even a cigarette." "I don't suppose you have one left, have you, Lily?" "What an absurd question, Bertha." "You don't smoke?" "Since when did you give it up?" "You don't smoke either, Mr Gryce?" "How stupid of me." "It was simply inhuman of Pragg to go off now." "When I was in Tuxedo..." "I asked a lot of people down and I mislaid the list..." "And I can't remember who's coming." "This week will be a failure too." "Judy, as if anybody's ever bored at Bellomont." "Everything's gone wrong." "And now Bertha Dorset is furious with me." "Furious with you?" "Why?" "Because I told her Lawrence Selden was coming, but... he wouldn't after all and she's unreasonable enough... to believe it was my fault." "I thought that was all over." "Oh, so it is." "On his side." "I shall call him on the telephone and tell him he simply must come." "Oh, don't." "Good gracious, Lily." "Do you dislike him so much?" "Not at aIl. I like him." "Oh, don't say there's any real harm in Bertha... but she delights in making people miserable, especially her husband." "Poor George." "But she is dangerous." "And you are not nasty." "For always getting what she wants... commend me to a nasty woman." "I thought you were fond of Bertha." "Oh, I am." "It's much safer to be fond of dangerous people." "Did you know his father made a fortune... out of inventing a device which excludes fresh air from hotels?" "Who?" "Why to be sure, Lily." "Percy Gryce." "But he's horribly shy and easily shocked..." "Why don't you say it, Judy?" "I have the reputation for being on the hunt for a husband." "Lily, I asked him here on purpose for you." "Percy Gryce and I are becoming very good friends." "You're sure you wouldn't like me to telephone Lawrence Selden?" "Quite sure." "I do enjoy the quiet." "Don't you, Lily?" "I wish men would always stay away." "It's much nicer without them." "Oh, you don't count, George." "One never talks to one's husband." "But wives never like their husbands talking to other women." "Only if the women in question are slightly too eligible or divorced." "Wives may do as they wish." "Husbands are expected to be like money, influential but silent." "If divorcees were more acceptable, I might be tempted." "Gus!" "Oh dear." "You see, I came after all." "Thank you for keeping me from playing bridge tonight, Mr Gryce." "Not at alI, Miss Bart." "I have no head for the game or the rules of betting." "I have been dragged into it in the past... and I have lost an appalling amount of money." "Mr Gryce, I have shocked you." "Whilst I do not approve, Miss Bart, I do approve of you." "I hope that means you forgive me." "For I am penitent." "will you go to church tomorrow?" "Yes." "May I accompany you, Miss Bart?" "Of course, Mr Gryce." "Good night." "Good night, Miss Bart." "Dear me, am I late?" "Late for what?" "Late for whom?" "Perhaps you had an earlier engagement?" "Yes, I had." "Perhaps I am in the way then?" "Mr Selden is at your disposal." "I never interfere with Mr Selden's engagements." "But I have no engagement with Mr Selden." "I was to go to church... and I'm afraid that the carriages have left without me." "Have they left, do you know?" "Yes. I heard them drive away some time ago." "Then I shall have to walk." "It's too late to get there." "Well, I'll have the credit for trying at any rate." "You must be quite breathless." "How fast you walk." "Thought I'd never catch up." "But I've been sitting here for nearly an hour!" "Waiting for me, I hope." "Waiting to see if you'd come." "Weren't you sure I would?" "If I waited long enough." "But I only had a limited time to give to the experience." "Why "limited"?" "By my other engagement." "Now I see why you were getting up on your Americana." "That's why I was waiting for you." "To thank you for giving me so many points." "You can hardly do justice to the subject in so short a time." "Won't you devote the afternoon to it?" "We'll take a walk and you can thank me at your leisure." "Let us sit here." "I have broken two engagements for you today... both of them with Percy Gryce." "How many have you broken for me?" "None." "My only engagement at Bellomont was with you." "You really came to Bellomont to see me?" "Of course I did." "Why?" "I like to see what you're doing." "You're such a wonderful spectacle." "Well, now you're here, you can see the effect first-hand." "I don't think that my coming... has deflected your course of action at all." "Give me one. I haven't smoked in days." "Why such unnatural abstinence?" "It is not considered becoming in a 'jeune fille a marier'." "And at the present moment... I am a 'jeune fille a marier'." "You must suppose me a dull kind of person..." "If you think I never yield to an impulse." "But I don't suppose that." "Your genius lies in converting impulses into intentions." "My genius?" "My genius would appear to be my ability... to do the wrong thing at the right time." "Or vice-versa." "Is there any final test of genius but success?" "I certainly haven't succeeded." "But you will marry someone very rich." "What a miserable future you foresee for me." "Haven't you seen it for yourself?" "Of course." "But it seems so much darker when you show it to me." "Why do you do this to me?" "Why do you make the things that I have chosen seem hateful to me... if you have nothing to give me instead?" "No. I have nothing to give you." "If I had, it'd be yours, you know that." "But you belittle me, being so sure they're the only things I care for." "Isn't it natural for me to belittle everything I can't offer you?" "Do you want to marry me?" "No, I don't." "But perhaps I should if you did." "It would be a great risk." "I've never concealed how great." "You are a coward." "No." "It's you who are the coward." "Are you serious?" "Why not?" "I took no risk in being so." "Why is it that when we meet... we always play this elaborate game?" "It's getting late." "Let us go down." "I thought Mr Gryce meant to stay all week." "He did, that's the worst of it." "It shows he's running away from you." "Bertha's done her work and poisoned him." "What was it Bertha really told Percy?" "Don't ask me." "Horrors." "AII I can say is, Lily, that I can't make you out." "He's not completely lost." "There are ways." "Whatever you do, do nothing." "Lily, you'II never do anything if you're not serious." "Out of spirits?" "I'm a little dull." "is your last box of Doucet dresses a failure... or did my wife rook you for everything at bridge?" "I have to give up Doucet dresses and bridge." "I can't afford either any more." "And Judy thinks me a bore." "Fact is, she's angry with me." "Angry with you?" "Nonsense." "My wife's devoted to you." "She's my very best friend, and that's why I mind vexing her." "I want to make my peace with her." "She has her heart set on my marrying money." "Agreat deal of money." "You don't mean Percy Gryce?" "Good Lord." "How could Judy think you'd do such a thing?" "Sometimes I think a man... understands a woman's motives better than her own sex does." "Good Lord. I could've told Judy that." "Oh, by the way, Miss Lily... I wish you'd try to persuade Judy to be civil to Rosedale." "I did a neat stroke of business through him last week." "If she'd only ask him to come and dine now and then... I'd get almost anything out of him." "He's going to be richer than all of us one of these days." "Would you do me a favour?" "A very great favour?" "Why, of course." "I don't mean to bore you with all this... but I'm entirely dependent on my aunt... and though she's very kind, she gives me no regular allowance." "I have a tiny income of my own but it's been badly invested." "Seems to bring in less each year." "And recently I've lost money at cards." "I've paid off my debts, of course, but... I dare not tell my aunt." "I can no longer go on living my present life." "And Percy Gryce?" "I can't make that sort of marriage." "You gave him the sack, and that's why he left by train this morning?" "I can make you a handsome sum without endangering your capital." "I am so ignorant about money matters... and I'd be so grateful to have a good advisor." "Leave it to me." "I'll find a solution." "Really, Lily... you're as careless and frivolous as your poor parents were." "Why do you go to Bellomont... if you don't remember what happened or whom you saw there." "But there was no one new." "Just the usual throng." "Was Mr Selden there?" "Yes." "He came later." "And Mr Rosedale, was he there?" "No, of course not." "Why do you ask?" "Passing interest, merely." "Mr Selden tells me that socially Mr Rosedale... is very ubiquitous now." "I have always thought that men like Rosedale... and their methods of gaining fortunes... were at best, questionable, at worst, criminal." "To grow richer... at a time when most people's investments are shrinking... strikes me as very bad taste." "But society still uses such men, if only obliquely." "If obliquity were a vice we should all be tainted." "Only someone without family could make such a vulgar remark." "Aunt julia, you are my family." "Just as I thought." "Extraordinary that I can't teach the parlour-maid... to draw the blinds down evenly." "Will you see to it, Grace?" "Jennings, we'Il take tea in the upstairs sitting room." "Lily, you read me the obituaries." "Aunt julia, Grace does it so much better than me." "She can make the most insignificant death seem interesting." "I'll see to the blinds." "Very well, you may join us later." "It's a Mrs Haffen, Miss." "She won't say what she wants." "You want to see me?" "Something you might like to see." "You have something belonging to me?" "Not exactly." "I don't understand." "If it's not mine, then why are you here?" "When I worked at the Benedick... I was in charge of cleaning the gentlemen's rooms." "Most gentlemen are careful about the letters they get." "Burn them in winter, tear them into bits in summer." "But Mr Selden wasn't so particular." "I know nothing of these letters." "I have no idea why you've brought them here." "To sell them." "I saw you coming out of Mr Selden's rooms." "So I guessed they were worth more to you than me." "You promised me we'd meet... when George was away from town." "Although you've forbidden me to come to you, I will." "I cannot bear George near me." "If he touches me I want to scream." "His very presence is unbearable." "My darling Lawrence, you are my consolation, my only joy." "In you I find more freedom and support than I've ever known." "Your devoted Bertha." "What do you want for them?" "One hundred and fifty." "One hundred." "I've got to live too." "I've offered you all that I'm prepared to pay for the letters." "One hundred." "If you would forgive your enemy... first inflict a hurt on them." "Oh, Bertha." "How could you have been so indiscreet." "I now pronounce you man and wife." "Never seen you look more lovely." "Oh, Gus." "Lily, I've got a cheque for you." "Another dividend?" "You have both Rosedale and me to thank for it." "I've made you five thousand on his tip..." "And re-invested four on your behalf." "With promise of another big rise." "Well... I can't thank you properly now." "I don't want to be thanked. I want you to be nice to RosedaIe and me." "I'd Iike to see you now and then." "Come on over to Bellomont." "I'll send the motor." "You say the most absurd things." "Besides, it's impossible." "My aunt is back in town... and I must stay with her." "You must come... to see Mrs Peniston and I next time you are in town." "Then you can tell me how to better invest my small fortune." "This is luck." "I was wondering if I'd be able to have a word with you." "I haven't recovered my self- respect... since you showed me how poor my ambitions were." "On the contrary... I thought I had been the means of proving... they were more important to you than anything else." "Lily." "We thought you'd given us the slip." "Been hunting all over for you." "I wanted to invite you to my box... at the opera on opening night." "Gus has promised to come to town on purpose." "He's a tremendous admirer of yours." "I fancy he'd go a lot farther for the pleasure of seeing you." "The Trenors are my best friends." "I think we'd all go a Iong way to see one other." "How's your luck been lately on Wall street?" "I hear Gus pulled off a nice little pile for you last month." "I had a Iittle money to invest... and Mr Trenor has been helping me in such matters." "I had a lucky turn." "is that what you call it?" "You've had a great many yourself." "is that the latest creation of the dressmaker at the Benedick?" "If so, it's a great success." "Isn't it, Mr Selden?" "That's nice of you." "It'd be nicer still if you'd get me a glass of lemonade." "Pleasure." "They met six weeks ago at Bertha Dorset's... and have been devoted ever since." "The engagement's to be announced next week." "They say it'll be the nicest marriage possible." "One dull fortune marrying another." "Evie Van Osburgh and Percy Gryce?" "Well, well." "Ladies and gentlemen..." "Miss Lily Bart, as 'summer' by Watteau." "She's never looked so radiant." "I like her best in that simple dress." "Makes her look like the real Lily." "The Lily I know." "The Lily we know." "She's herself with a few people only." "She has it in her to become whatever she's believed to be." "We must think the best of her." "I'Il tell her that." "She always says you dislike her." "Well, Grace." "How's life at Richfield?" "Quiet." "Aunt Peniston sees very little company." "I'm sure your being there gave her much pleasure." "I am as reliable as roast mutton." "But Aunt Julia is not alone... in preferring Lily's erratic brilliance." "You should marry, Grace." "We should all marry, Mr Selden." "You never speak to me." "I'm never near you enough." "You think hard things of me." "I think of you... at any rate." "Why do we never see each other?" "I have my law practice and... you're always surrounded by admirers." "There's no admirers at my aunt's." "Well... then, perhaps I might take tea with you." "At Mrs Peniston's next week?" "Yes." "Come at four on Friday." "Then we can talk." "I've so much to say to you." "I need your help." "You promised me once you'd help me." "The only way I can help you... is by loving you." "Love me." "But don't tell me so." "I'd hate to miss the train." "Selden, going too?" "Aren't you staying for supper?" "No." "When people crowd their rooms so you can't get near anyone... you wish to speak to I'd sooner go." "My wife was right to stay away." "She says life is too short to spend it breaking new people in." "Thank you." "lily and Gus Trenor, you say?" "Aunt, of course I don't mean..." "Then what do you mean, Grace?" "Do people say he's in love with her?" "People always say unpleasant things." "It's a pity, though, that Lily makes herself so conspicuous." "Conspicuous?" "Does he mean to divorce then marry her?" "No, it's... it's a flirtation." "Nothing more." "A flirtation?" "With a married man?" "Such things were never heard of in my day." "Look here, lily..." "Judy and I've been in town for weeks." "When am I going to see you?" "You can find me any afternoon at my aunt's." "Come see me there and we can have a quiet talk." "You put me off with that at the Van Osburgh wedding." "Truth is, now you've got what you wanted you'd rather not see me." "Don't be foolish, Gus." "If you want to see me you can come to my aunt's." "What else is being said?" "That Gus Trenor pays her bills." "Rubbish." "Lily has her own income." "And I provide for her handsomely." "There are her gambling debts." "What do you mean?" "She plays bridge." "Who told you my niece plays cards for money?" "Mrs Gryce told me that it was Lily's gambling debts... that frightened Percy." "In fact people are inclined to excuse her on that account." "Excuse her for what?" "For accepting the attentions of men like Gus Trenor." "Thank you for telling me, Grace." "But I must say, this unwelcome information... has ruined the Mozart for me." "Lily, let's leave before the first act starts." "Judy's as cross as two sticks when she's away from Bellomont." "Come to the house now." "Is Judy unwell?" "Avisit from you might be just what's needed." "Very well, Gus." "I shall come with you." "Doesn't it look as if we're waiting for the body to be brought down?" "Where's Judy?" "She's not up to seeing anybody." "You mean to say she's not well enough to see me?" "Devil of a headache." "Quite knocked out by it." "In that case, will you have the goodness to call me a cab?" "Why must you go?" "It's late and we are alone." "I must insist." "always the same old story." "Can't give me five minutes but you're charming to others." "I only went to that stupid opera to be with you." "I insist that you call me a cab." "Suppose l won't?" "What then?" "If you force me I shall go upstairs to Judy." "Sit down." "I've got a word to say to you." "If you have anything to say to me you must say it at another time." "I shall go upstairs to Judy unless you call me a cab at once." "Go upstairs, Judy isn't there." "You mean to say that Judy is not in this house?" "She isn't even in town." "I don't believe you." "My wife's still at Bellomont." "If she were not coming to town she would have telephoned." "She did." "I received no message." "I didn't send any." "How dare you compromise me in this way?" "Don't take that high tone with me." "I've been patient long enough." "After all... if you pay for the dinner you're allowed to sit at the table." "I don't know what you mean." "I didn't begin this business." "Kept out of the way." "But I can see fast enough when I'm being made a fool of." "Now you've got what you wanted, Gus isn't needed any more." "Well that isn't playing fair, Lily." "It's dodging the rules of the game." "And now you've got to pay." "You mean I owe you money?" "You told me it was all right." "It was all right. lt is all right." "You're welcome to it." "AII of it." "I just want to be thanked a little." "I have thanked you!" "Or do you wish for payment in kind?" "No!" "If I owe you money, I'll pay you!" "You owe me nine thousand dollars." "Nine thousand?" "I will pay you." "I suppose you'll go to Selden or Rosedale for it." "Unless you've settled those scores already... and I'm the only one left out in the cold." "What more do you have to say to me?" "Go home." "Come here Lily." "I wish to speak to you." "Ant julia, it's very late and I am very tired." "I must insist, lily." "You're a bad colour, Lily." "This incessant rushing about is beginning to tell on you." "I don't think it's that." "I've had other worries." "The fact is..." "I owe some money." "I... I've been foolish." "There are bills that are pressing." "I paid your dressmaker's bill last October." "But if you owe Madame CeIeste another thousand dollars..." "She may send me your account." "It's a good deal more than that." "A good deal more?" "To whom?" "Do I know these people?" "Some by name, others by reputation." "Then they're of no consequence." "These debts I speak of are different." "The fact is... I've been playing cards." "It's true then?" "You play cards for money?" "Do you play on Sundays?" "You're hard on me, Aunt Julia." "I never really cared for cards... and one hates to be thought priggish and one... drifts into doing what others do." "I've had a dreadful lesson." "If you help me out, I promise..." "You needn't make any promises." "It's unnecessary." "When I offered you a home... I didn't undertake to pay your gambling debts." "Aunt Julia, you mean that you won't help me?" "I shall certainly not do anything to give the impression... that I countenance your behaviour." "Aunt Julia, I will be disgraced!" "I consider that you are disgraced, Lily." "And now I must ask you to leave me." "This scene has been extremely painful to me... and I have my own health to consider." "And tell Jennings l wish to see no- one until tomorrow afternoon." "And then only Grace Stepney." "Grace?" "Yes, Aunt Julia." "Lily, it's after midnight." "What will Aunt julia think?" "I don't care." "I couldn't go to my room." "I hate it so." "lily, what's happened?" "Can't you tell me?" "I thought I could manage my own life..." "But I've been so foolish, Grace." "To the point of being compromised." "By whom?" "Mr Selden?" "No, not Mr Selden." "I've been careless and imprudent about money." "I'm frightened to think what I owe." "Grace, you know Lawrence." "If I asked him to help me... told him why... would he loathe me if I told him everything?" "No." "You must not do that." "He is like other men." "They have minds like moral fly-paper." "They can forgive a woman almost anything except losing her name." "If you wish to keep your reputation intact, Lily... tell him nothing." "But he must've spoken about me." "What does he really think of me?" "We've never discussed you, Lily." "I have no idea what Mr Selden thinks." "But I must trust in his good faith." "I'll write him and ask him to come." "Goodnight, Grace." "Goodnight, Lily." "Lawrence!" "Lawrence!" "Jennings. ls my aunt downstairs?" "No, Miss Bart." "Mrs Peniston left for Richfield early this morning... with Miss Stepney." "Thank you." "Would you see that the boy delivers this to Mr Selden at the Benedick?" "Yes, Miss." "Would you serve tea at four... in the downstairs sitting room and show Mr SeIden in when he arrives?" "Yes, Miss Bart." "Thank you." "Mr RosedaIe." "Pretty well done." "Yes, very well done." "Why put up this kind of bluff?" "Why aren't you straight with me?" "I know there have been times when you've been worried." "A girl like you shouldn't have worries." "You're quite right, Mr Rosedale." "I have had worries." "I've been careless about money." "I'm offering you the chance to turn your back on that once and for all." "I know you're not in love with me." "You're not even fond of me." "Yet." "I'm very much flattered by your offer... but I should be selfish and ungrateful... if I made my reason for accepting your generosity financial." "Miss Bart... I generally get what I want in life." "I have a certain social position and the means to maintain it." "Now all I want is the woman... the right woman, to share both with me." "You're fond of luxury and amusement and to not have to settle for it." "I can provide the style... and the means of settling." "You're mistaken on one point..." "Mr RosedaIe." "Whatever I enjoy... I'm prepared to pay for." "I have spoken too plainly." "I didn't mean to give offence." "Give me time to consider your kindness." "Goodbye, Miss Bart." "You will consider my proposal?" "Of course." "Yes?" "Are you alone, Lily?" "Yes, quite alone, Bertha." "Everyone has gone away." "My aunt to Richfield, everyone else to Europe." "Except Lawrence Selden, who's gone to London." "How unsophisticated of him." "Will you join us then on a cruise to the Mediterranean?" "Well, I'm not sure I'm able to." "You'll be doing me a great service." "You're always good with George... listening to the stories he's been telling since the Civil War." "You're the only one with enough fortitude to take an interest." "Nonsense." "George can be charming." "Good." "You'll come then?" "Yes. lt'II be delightful." "Goodbye." "Mr Selden." "Mrs Fisher." "Dojoin us." "What brings you to Monte Carlo?" "I finished my business with a client in London... and decided to come down and renew my objective interest in life." "So you're not so far removed from being manipulated... by the strings of society as one might think." "Mrs Fisher, none of us are." "We're starving to death because we can't decide where to lunch." "One gets the best things at "The Terrasse"... but all the Americans go there now." "I do believe the Dorsets are back." "It's their yacht..." ""The Sabrina"" "Oh, yes." "I often have this strange and vivid dream... of an unknown woman whom I love and who loves me... and who, each time, is neither exactly the same... nor exactly different but who loves me and understand me." "For she understands me and my heart is transparent... to her alone, alas!" "Which ceases to be a problem... to her alone, and the sweat of my pale brow." "She alone knows how to cool it with tears." "is she brunette, blonde or red-head?" "He's reading Verlaine to her now." "In French." "What's the use of mincing matters?" "We all know what Bertha brought Lily abroad for." "The Silverton affair is at the acute stage." "George needs to be distracted." "And I'm sure lily distracts him." "A clever woman would know when to play her cards right." "But she's never been clever in that way." "I hope there hasn't been a row." "Where the devil are they?" "Bertha!" "Bertha!" "How did you find London, Mr Selden?" "More agreeable than New York?" "In some ways, yes." "Nevertheless, I came to see you." "To see me?" "Or to see an older friend?" "I beg you to leave the yacht." "To leave?" "Why?" "What has happened?" "Nothing." "But if something should, why be in the way of it?" "How do you think I'd leave Bertha?" "You have yourself to think of now." "Nothing will happen." "Of course not." "I'm sure." "Have you seen Bertha?" "No." "Is she not up yet?" "Not up yet!" "Has she gone to bed?" "You know what time she came aboard this morning?" "At seven!" "Seven?" "Was there an accident?" "There was no accident." "I waited for them all night." "Why didn't you call me to share your vigil?" "You wouldn't have liked the denouement." "The denouement?" "Isn't that too big a word for such a small incident?" "Don't!" "Don't!" "I only want to help you." "You do so by being sweet and patient with me." "You can't want to see me ridiculous." "If it hadn't been for you I'd have ended it long ago." "I'll go to see Selden." "No!" "No." "Why not?" "One lawyer is as good as another." "Very well." "Go and see Mr Selden then." "You'll have time before dinner." "I ought to say good morning." "I tried to see you but you weren't up." "No. I got to bed late." "After we separated during the fete, we thought we should wait... but we missed you." "You missed us?" "But I thought you didn't get back to the yacht until this morning." "Who told you that?" "George." "is that his version?" "Poor George." "He's had one of his attacks again." "It's very bad for him to be worried." "Anything upsetting always brings on an attack." ""Anything upsetting"?" "Yes." "Such as having you so conspicuously on his hands... during the small hours." "You know, my dear, you're rather a responsibility... in such a scandalous place after midnight." "Well really... considering you burdened him with that responsibility." "A married man should not have the burden of being seen alone... with a single woman." "Yes, we were alone." "is that so dreadful?" "After all, we lost you as much as you mislaid us." "So now it is my fault... for not having the superhuman cleverness to find you... in that dreadful crowd?" "Or the imagination to believe... that you wouldn't wait for us on the quay until we met you?" "No, simply by us all keeping together!" ""Keeping together"?" "Lily, you are not a child to be led by the hand." "Nor to be lectured, Bertha." "Lecture you?" "Heaven forbid." "I was merely trying to give you a friendly hint." "It's usually the other way round." "I'm expected to take hints... not to give them." "Hints?" "From me to you?" "Negative ones merely." "What not to be or to do or to see." "But if you'll let me say so... I didn't know one of my negative duties... was not to warn you when you took your imprudence too far." "Did you see George today?" "Yes." "Well..." "What happened?" "What will happen?" "Nothing, as yet." "And nothing in the future." "You're sure?" "I'm not sure, but I'm a good deal surer." "No, thank you." "Assume everything is as usual." "Before I go I want to leave you the Brys." "Charming of you to remember me." "What you really mean is... that you've snubbed the Brys and you know they know it." "Carry!" "If you'd have even managed to have them invited... onto "The Sabrina" once." "Especially when royalty was coming." "Stay over and I'll get the Duchess to dine with them." "I shan't stay over." "The Gormers have paid for my salon-lit and I leave tonight." "But get her to dine with them all the same." "I've danced all my life, you're my husband." "They'd be much obliged." "Do you sing?" "Really?" "lily, if you're off to the yacht." "Miss Bart is not returning to the yacht." "Bertha..." "Miss Bart... there's been a misunderstanding." "Some mistake." "Miss Bart... remains here." "And I think, George, we'd better not detain our guests any longer." "I have some business to attend to... and it's easier for me to remain ashore for the night." "Mr Selden, you promised to see me to my cab." "Do you know of a quiet hotel?" "To go to alone?" "lmpossibIe." "Well, it's too wet to sleep outside." "There must be someone you can go to." "At this hour?" "God, if you'd only listened to me." "Not now." "You must go immediately to the Stepneys." "I can't." "You mustn't ask me to." "You don't know Gwen." "Come, you must appear to have gone there directly." "What if she refuses?" "She won't." "Trust me." "I, Julia Grace Peniston... being of sound mind and body... declare this to be my last will and testament... hereby revoking and declaring utterly void... all wills and clauses of wills heretofore made by me." "It is my will and desire that, after my death... all my just debts shall be paid by my executive... hereinafter named." "Second, it is my will and desire..." "Lily will get everything, of course." "Aunt Julia was always a just woman." "Well, it's only about four hundred thousand." "Eight." "And to my niece, Miss lily Bart... I bequeath the sum of ten thousand dollars." "Nine." "And the residue of my estate... I bequeath to my dear niece..." "Grace Julia Stepney." "Given under my hand and seal... 22nd May 1906." "My dear Grace." "I am so glad." "What sweet shall we have today?" "Lily!" "My dear Carry,... you wouldn't let the head waiter see I've nothing to live on... but my Aunt Julia's legacy?" "Think of Bertha Dorset's satisfaction... if she came and found us lunching on cold mutton and tea." "I was horrid to you in Monte Carlo, Lily." "I'm ashamed of myself... and I've wanted to tell you so ever since, and that's the truth." "Well, what is truth?" "Where a woman is concerned it's a story that's easiest to believe." "If I'd have got the money, no-one would dare ignore me." "And if they did, it wouldn't matter. I'd be independent." "Lily." "It's so unjust." "Grace Stepney must feel she has no right to that inheritance." "Anyone who knew how to please Aunt Julia has a right to her money." "But she was devoted to you." "Be honest, Carry." "She disapproved of my going with the Dorsets... and she heard of my break with them." "After all, Bertha did turn me off the yacht." "I must know where l stand, Carry." "And know what's being said of me." "I don't listen." "One hears such things without listening." "Good afternoon, Mrs Fisher." "Carry, how delightful to see you." "How delightful, Judy." "Oh, Lily." "What a pleasure to see you." "Gus!" "Miss Bart." "I must see the head waiter, Judy." "Where Judy leads, the world will follow." "Not your real friends." "Meanwhile, what do you say to putting a few things in a trunk... and spending the summer with me and the Gormers?" "To take me out of my "friends"' way you mean?" "Till they realise how much they miss you." "Besides, the Gormers have taken a tremendous fancy to you." "I know they're not your set, kind of a social Coney Island." "But anyone's welcome who can make noise and doesn't put on airs." "Yes." "I shall come." "Well, what shall it be?" "Coup Jacques or Peches a la Melba?" "The more I think of my getting you here, the better I like it." "More noise, more colour, more slapdash sociability." "But greater good nature too." "Less rivalry." "Yes, it's true." "Soon everybody will be leaving... for Newport and Bar Harbour and Long lsland." "And me to a hotel in broiling New York." "Lily... you must marry." "As soon as you can." "Do you mean to recommend me to 'a good man's love'?" "Neither of my candidates answers to that description." "Neither?" "There are actually two?" "Perhaps one-and-a-half." "All things being equal, I think I'd prefer half a husband." "Who is he?" "George Dorset." "Don't fly out at me till you hear my reasons." "Since they got back from Europe things have been going very badly." "Bertha's behaviour has strained even George's credulity." "They're over at their place now but the end will come soon." "The end will never come." "Bertha will always get him back exactly when she wants him." "Oh, Lily." "He wouldn't stay with her ten minutes if he knew." ""Knew"?" "If he had positive proof, I mean." "Please, let's drop the subject." "It's too odious to me." "And the second candidate?" "We mustn't forget him." "Sim Rosedale." "I think I'd like to go for a walk." "Miss Bart." "I've been hoping to meet you." "I'd have written if I'd dared." "I wanted to apologise." "Don't let us speak of it." "I was very sorry for you." "You must let me explain." "I was deceived." "I am more sorry for you then." "But you must see that I am not exactly... the person with whom this subject can be discussed." "Why not?" "It's you of all people I owe an explanation to." "No explanation is necessary." "The situation was perfectly clear to me." "Miss Bart, don't turn away." "You must understand... that after what happened, we cannot be friends again." "Wasn't I punished enough?" "is there to be no respite?" "I'd have thought you had complete respite... in the reconciliation that was effected at my expense." "Don't put it that way." "All I ask you to understand is that... after the use that Bertha made of me... after all that her behaviour has since implied... it is impossible that you and I should meet." "Please help me." "I am sorry." "There is nothing I can do." "You must have other friends... other advisors." "I never had a friend like you." "Besides, you're the only one who knows." "You were there in Monte Carlo." "You are mistaken." "I saw nothing." "I know nothing." "Just say what you know and the way will be clear for us both." "I know nothing." "You are sacrificing both of us." "I know nothing." "Absolutely nothing." "Who's gonna catch you?" "Come along." "You ought to be in bed." "Yes, mother." "Goodnight, Miss Bart." "Goodnight, Edith." "Go on." "Where are the others?" "I'm your only fellow guest." "Carry was trying to be subtle." "You look tired, I've been sleeping badly." "In fact, I came especially to see you." "On a delicate matter." "I hope you can believe that." "Thank you, I believe what you say." "I am ready to marry you whenever you wish." "But, Miss Lily... I suppose that is what you wish." "And though I was unable to consent when last you spoke to me... I am ready, now that I know you much better... to put my happiness in your hands." "My dear Miss Lily... you made me feel that my suit was so hopeless that..." "I had no intention of renewing it." "I can only blame myself... if I gave you the impression that my decision was final." "Before we say goodbye... I want at least to thank you for once having thought of me." "Why do you talk of saying goodbye?" "Can't we still be good friends all the same?" "What is your idea of being "good friends"?" "Seeing me without asking me to marry you?" "That's about the size of it." "I like your frankness... I'm afraid that our friendship... can hardly continue on those terms." "Miss Lily, what I mean..." "What you mean to say is that I'm not as desirable a match... as once you thought me." "Yes, that is what I do mean." "I don't believe the stories about you... but my not believing them won't alter the situation." "If they are not true, doesn't that alter the situation?" "You know as well as I do, last year you wouldn't look at me." "Now you appear willing to do so." "What's changed in the interval?" "Your situation." "You thought you could do better." "You think you can?" "Yes, I do." "I've done very well." "I've placed Wall Street under obligations... that only 5th Avenue can repay." "But the quickest way to queer oneself with the right people... is to be seen with the wrong ones." "I want to avoid mistakes." "I understand." "Goodbye, Mr Rosedale." "Why don't you use her letters?" "Don't ask me how I know you bought them." "I know." "I don't suppose you bought them just to collect autographs." "You see, I know where you stand." "You have Bertha completely in your power." "You wish to be rehabilitated socially... and you have the means of your redemption." "In a deal like this, nobody comes out with perfectly clean hands." "If you're going to fight Bertha, don't inflict an open injury." "Reduce it to a private transaction." "'Give and take' you mean?" "Yes." "As in business." "Or politics." "You see how simple it is?" "There's no point frightening Bertha into line." "You have to keep her there." "That's my part of the business." "That's what I'm offering you." "To reconcile with Bertha and then you'II marry me?" "What do you say, Miss Lily?" "You are mistaken in both the facts and what you infer from them." "Well, I'll be damned!" "I suppose it's because the letters are to him?" "I thought we understood each other." "We do now." "Come in." "It's such a blessing to have a quiet few weeks here." "Thank you for inviting me here." "I do love it in Tuxedo." "Yes." "It's a pleasant house." "One of my few treasured possessions." "How are the Brys?" "Louisa Bry is a stern taskmaster." "Talk about love making peoplejealous." "It's nothing to social ambition." "I had a visit from Mattie Gormer the other day." "She was with Bertha Dorset of all people." "No doubt the rabbit always thinks it's fascinating the anaconda." "Now they're fast friends... I think Mattie will sacrifice anything for her." "Including me?" "My dear... the world is vile." "Lily." "Mrs Hatch, I'm not dressed!" "It doesn't matter." "This is the 20th Century, not the Dark Ages." "As soon as you've eaten, come to my rooms." "I'm leaving in twenty minutes, so please be quick." "I cannot find my prescription." "Do you have it?" "I'm always losing them." "You usually leave them on your bureau, Mrs Hatch." "Of course I do." "Get it filled for me today." "Without my chloraI I never sleep." "I have to see my beauty doctor or I cannot face society." "The manicure will have to wait till tomorrow." "Not up to it today, put her off." "Don't look sour, Lily, she won't mind." "She never minds." "After lunch I shall go to Sherry's for tea... then this evening I'm playing bridge with my lawyer." "I'll try to go for a fitting tomorrow morning... but only if it doesn't interfere with the art exhibition at four." "Then supper at..." "No, theatre first, then supper." "If you don't tell me in advance of these changes, How can I... keep your diary accurately?" "Engagements are made to be broken." "Especially with tradespeople." "They expect it." "Yes, Mrs Hatch." "By the way, Lily... on Friday I'm dining with Melville Stancy and the Gormers." "Yes, Mrs Hatch." "Don't forget my prescription." "It's on the bureau." "Mrs Fisher was anxious to know how you were getting on." "Why didn't she look me up herself then?" "Afraid of being importunate." "You see, no such scruples restrained me." "Then you've come to be of some use to me?" "Yes." "So what am I to do with you?" "Talk things over with me." "What makes you think that I have anything to talk about?" "My initiative doesn't go beyond putting myself at your disposal." "I shouldn't have come if I'd thought I'd be of no use to you." "Do you know where you are?" "Of course I know where l am!" "You must let me take you away from here." "If you've come to say disagreeable things about Mrs Hatch... lt is precisely your relationship with her that concerns me." "My relationship with Mrs Hatch... is one that I've no reason to be ashamed of!" "She's helped me earn a living... when my old friends were quite content to see me starve!" "Nonsense!" "Starvation is not the only alternative." "Your aunt's legacy could make you moderately independent." "Well, what you don't know... is that I owe every penny of that legacy!" "Good God!" "Every penny... and more besides." "I have no money except my small income... and I need to earn money to keep myself alive!" "I should be happier to see you out of this particular 'employment'." "But I should not." "Ijust want to point out to you... the false position you have placed yourself in." "I suppose by that you mean my being on the outside of society?" "But I have long been excluded from it... and I remember you once telling me that it was only those on... the inside who took the difference seriously!" "Mrs Hatch's desire to be inside... may put you in a false position." "You cannot want this!" "You have already told me that the sole object of my upbringing... was to teach me to get what I want." "Why not assume that that's precisely what I am doing now?" "You're not a successful example... of that kind of upbringing." "Give me a little more time." "I may still do credit to my training!" "That was undignified." "Where does dignity end and rectitude begin?" "Good day, Miss Bart." "Good day, Mr Selden." "She got five dollars and her picture in the paper." "The hat?" "No, she got that yesterday." "No, the one with the green paradise." "Madame asked me to alter that Virot hat." "She's tall, slight, but her hair's all frizzed out." "A lot like Mary Leach." "only thinner." "Miss Bart." "Look at these spangIes." "Every one sewed on crooked." "I'm sorry." "I'm afraid I'm not well." "If you can't do better, I'll give the hat to Miss KiIroy." "Go back to binding edges." "Miss Bart." "Miss Bart, I must draw your attention... to the fact that your work is poor... and your attendance irregular." "Miss Haines is right." "I am clumsy and slow to learn." "I have been indisposed lately." "But I'll try to improve." "It's too late for that." "I took you on as an untrained apprentice... as a favour to Mrs Fisher... but against my better judgement." "I'm afraid that I will have to dispense with your services." "I trust you'll find a position more suited to your skills." "Thank you." "How are you, Grace?" "Her memory is everywhere." "The whole house." "And you, Lily... how are you?" "You look dreadfully tired." "I don't sleep at night." "Since when?" "I don't... I can't remember." "There are other worries." "dreadful things." "What things?" "Poverty." "I can't think of anything worse." "I can't go on this way." "Do you have any idea when the legacies will be paid?" "No, Lily." "No-one has received them yet." "Not even me." "The truth is, I need the money." "Would you be willing to lend me the amount of my legacy?" "You must be patient." "Remember how beautifully patient Aunt Julia always was." "But you'll get everything, Grace." "It would be easy for you to borrow ten times the amount... that I'm asking for." "Borrow?" "I am at the end of my tether." "You imagine for a moment that I'd raise money... on my expectations from Aunt julia?" "If you must know the truth... it was your being in debt... that brought on her last illness." "You won't help me then?" "If there's anything I can do... to make you realise the folly of your course and ... how much she disapproved of it... I shall feel it is the truest way of making up to you for her loss." "Thank you, Grace." "It was good of you to see me." "Goodbye." "Can I help?" "Mrs Hatch?" "Yes." "You mustn't increase the dose, Mrs Hatch." "Of course not." "Miss Lily?" "What's the matter?" "I'm a little tired." "It's nothing." "Stay with me a moment, please." "We can't stay here." "Let's go to The Longworth for some tea." "Take your tea strong." "I haven't seen you in ages... I wondered what had become of you." "I have joined the working classes." "I was trying to learn to become a milliner." "You can't be serious." "Perfectly serious." "I understood that you were with Mrs Hatch." "She dismissed me two months ago." "After she had got into society... it seems my reputation had become a social liability." "Since then I have been obliged to work for my living." "That wasn't for you anyhow." "I must go." "No, no, rest a little longer." "What did you mean about learning to become a milliner?" "Just what I said." "I am an apprentice at Madame Regina's." "I was an apprentice at Madame Regina's." "I understood you received a legacy from your aunt." "Ten thousand dollars." "But it isn't paid until spring and anyway, I owe it already." "The whole ten thousand?" "Every penny." "I think Gus Trenor spoke to you once... about having made me some money in stocks." "He made me nine thousand dollars." "I knew nothing about business." "I thought he had invested my own money." "In fact what he had made he had given me." "It was meant in kindness... but it wasn't the sort of obligation I could remain under." "I was incredibly stupid." "I spent the money before I realised." "And so my aunt's legacy must go to pay it back." "That is why..." "That is why I must now work." "That'lI clean you out altogether." "Altogether." "Yes." "Miss Lily, if you want my backing..." "Thank you." "Your tea has been a great backing." "I feel equal to anything now." "Surely this isn't the place?" "Yes." "I room and board here." "I have lived too long on my friends." "You can't go on living here." "I have gone over my expenses very carefully... and I think I can manage it." "That's not what I mean." "It is what I mean." "I shall be out of work now." "What a way for you to talk." "You in a place like this." "My situation is nothing exceptional." "But you are." "It's an outrage." "Look, it's none of my business... but you must accept help from somebody." "You spoke to me of your debt to Gus Trenor... I'll lend you the money to pay him." "Let me finish." "It'll be purely a business arrangement." "What can you have against that?" "Only this... that is exactly what Gus Trenor proposed." "Once the debt is paid I shall have no security." "I have been compromised once... I cannot be so again." "I am very grateful for your kindness... but it is impossible." "You must see that." "We must think of your future." "If you only knew what little difference that makes now." "At least let me tell Selden where you're living." "It will do no good." "Please." "Very well." "You may tell him if you wish." "If only you'd let me help you... you could wipe your feet on them." "Why don't you use the letters?" "It would be so simple." "It is so simple." "Today I'll tell you about the plight of... the poor people of Russia under the Tsar." "Would you please inform Mrs Dorset... that Miss Lily Bart wishes to speak with her." "Mrs Dorset is not at home, Miss Bart." "Then I'd like to speak with Mr Dorset." "I'm sorry, Mr and Mrs Dorset left for the country two days ago." "Shall I take a message?" "No." "No message." "I can recommend the armchair." "I came to say I am sorry for the way we parted." "For what I said to you that day at Mrs Hatch's." "I was sorry too." "You look tired." "Do sit down." "You're drenched." "Let me make you some tea." "No." "I must go in a moment." "I must go." "I may not see you again for a Iong time... I have never forgotten the things you said to me at Bellomont... they have helped keep me... from becoming the person many people thought me to be." "I'm glad." "But nothing I said really made the difference." "The difference is in yourself." "No, don't say that." "That is all that I have lived on." "Don't take that from me." "We resist the great temptations... but it is the little ones that eventually pull us down." "I remember your saying that such a life could never satisfy me... and I was ashamed to admit that it could." "That's what I wanted to thank you for." "I have tried." "I have tried hard." "But life is difficult... and I'm a useless person." "And now I'm on the rubbish heap." "Lily... can I help you?" "You told me once that you could help me only by loving me." "You did love me for a moment... and it helped me." "But that moment is gone." "And I let it go." "And one must go on living." "Lily, you mustn't speak like this." "Things... may change, but... you'll never go out of my life." "Let us be friends." "Then I shall feel safe... whatever happens." "What do you mean?" "What's going to happen?" "Nothing." "Nothing's going to happen." "But I'd like some tea now." "Goodbye, Lawrence." "The Waldorf Saving Bank West 53rd street." "New York." "Ten thousand dollars." "Ten... thousand dollars." "Charles Augustus Trenor" "Oh, Lily!" "lily?" "Miss Bart?" "It's a great mercy." "May I... may I see her... alone?" "Will it take long?" "It won't." "Lily." "Oh, Lily." "I love you."