The American`You you a nun; you with your beauty defaced and your nature wasted you behind locks and bars! Never, never, if I can prevent it!' A wealthy American man of business descends on Europe in search of a wife to make his fortune complete. In Paris Christopher Newman is introduced to Claire de Cintré, daughter of the ancient House of Bellegarde, and to Valentin, her charming young brother. His bid for Claire's hand receives an icy welcome from the heads of the family, an elder brother and their formidable mother, the old Marquise. Can they stomach his manners for the sake of his dollars? Out of this classic collision between the old world and the new, James weaves a fable of thwarted desire that shifts between comedy, tragedy, romance and melodrama a fable which in the later version printed here takes on some of the subtleties associated with this greatest novels. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
Contents
The Stage Versions | 364 |
The Revised Version for the New York Edition | 367 |
Explanatory Notes | 385 |
Glossary of French Words and Phrases | 397 |
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Common terms and phrases
added afraid American answered appeared asked beautiful began believe Bellegarde better Bread brother course daughter dear don’t door expression eyes face feel felt French gave give hand happy hard head Henry hour I’ve idea interest It’s James keep knew lady laughed least leave less light live looked Madame de Bellegarde Madame de Cintré Marquis marry matter mean mind moment mother never Newman Nioche novel once Paris passed perhaps person play poor present question reason returned round seemed seen sense side simply sister smile sort speak stand stood strange suppose sure talk tell things thought told took Tristram turned understand Valentin wait walked wish woman wondered you’re young