Епоха невинності
Chapter 4
MansonMingott’sfleshhadlongsincemadeitimpossibleforhertogoupanddownstairs,andwithcharacteristicindependenceshehadmadeherreceptionroomsupstairsandestablishedherself(inflagrantviolationofalltheNewYorkproprieties)onthegroundfloorofherhouse;sothat,asyousatinhersitting-roomwindowwithher,youcaught(throughadoorthatwasalwaysopen,andalooped-backyellowdamaskportiere)theunexpectedvistaofabedroomwithahugelowbedupholsteredlikeasofa,andatoilet-tablewithfrivolouslaceflouncesandagilt-framedmirror.Hervisitorswerestartledandfascinatedbytheforeignnessofthisarrangement,whichrecalledscenesinFrenchfiction,andarchitecturalincentivestoimmoralitysuchasthesimpleAmericanhadneverdreamedof.Thatwashowwomenwithloverslivedinthewickedoldsocieties,inapartmentswithalltheroomsononefloor,andalltheindecentpropinquitiesthattheirnovelsdescribed.ItamusedNewlandArcher(whohadsecretlysituatedthelove-scenesof"MonsieurdeCamors"inMrs.Mingott’sbedroom)topictureherblamelesslifeledinthestage-settingofadultery;buthesaidtohimself,withconsiderableadmiration,thatifaloverhadbeenwhatshewanted,theintrepidwomanwouldhavehadhimtoo.TothegeneralrelieftheCountessOlenskawasnotpresentinhergrandmother’sdrawing-roomduringthevisitofthebetrothedcouple.Mrs.Mingottsaidshehadgoneout;which,onadayofsuchglaringsunlight,andatthe"shoppinghour,"seemedinitselfanindelicatethingforacompromisedwomantodo.
