Chapter 38 Chapter Ten The Passing of an Era

The wedding of Soames and Annette took place in Paris on the last day of January, 1901, and was so closely guarded that Emily did not tell her about it until after the wedding.The day after their marriage, Soames took Annette to a quiet hotel in London, where the charges were higher than anywhere else in the world, and the benefits were less.Annette looked all the more beautiful in the best Parisian attire, so Soames could have been more contented with the acquisition of a perfect piece of china, or a fine picture.He was already counting the days when he would take her to Park Lane, to Green Street, to Timothy's for exhibitions.

In those days, if anyone had asked him, "Honestly—are you in love with this girl?" he would have replied, "In love? What is love? If you mean to ask, I'm ashamed of her." Is the affection the same as the affection I had for Irene when I first met Irene, and Irene had no intention of wanting me? Would I also sigh like that, hungrily insisting on her obedience and not being quiet for a minute? My answer Yes—no! If you mean to ask, am I tempted by her youth and beauty, or do I feel a little bit of ecstasy when I see her walking? My answer is—yes! If you ask me , will she be faithful to me and be a good wife and mother? My answer is still—yes! What else can I ask for? And women marry most of what they get from the men who marry them Isn’t that all?” If the questioner then asked, “Since you dare not say that you have really touched this girl’s heart, is it fair for you to lure her to entrust her life to you?” He would then Answer: "The French see these things differently than we do. They see marriage as starting a family, having a son and a daughter; and from my experience, I dare say their view is reasonable? , I will take as much as she can give me. After many years, if I don't get on well with her, I won't be surprised; but by then I will be old and have children. I will just pretend to be deaf and dumb. I Her enthusiasm has passed; hers may not yet come, and I don't think that enthusiasm will be for me. I have given her a lot, and I don't expect much in return. I'm having a son. But I'm sure of one thing—she's very sensible!"

Furthermore, if the person asking is not satisfied, continue to ask him, "Well, you don't expect any soul union this time, do you?" At this time Soames will look up and smile , replied: "It can also be said in the same way. If I can satisfy my senses, continue my family, have a clean house, and enjoy myself in my boudoir, at my age, that's all I can hope for. Those unrealistic, It seems that I am not likely to engage in things that are purely based on emotion." After hearing this, if the person who asked the question was a refined scholar, he would definitely stop asking.

The queen is dead; in the world's greatest city, the dingy weather is like tears.On the morning of the great funeral, Soames, in his fur coat and top hat, with Annette in black at his side, walked across Park Lane to the iron railings of Hyde Park.Although he never cared much about public events, this incident had great symbolic significance, summarizing a long and prosperous era, so he was also very impressed.I remember when she came to the throne in 1837, "Big Boss Dusart" was still building those houses that made London ugly, and James was a lad of twenty-six, laying the foundations of his law practice.The carriage drove around; the men all wore leather collars, their upper lips were shaved off, and they ate raw oysters from wooden boxes; the grooms in beautiful dresses stood staggering behind the big carriage; the women said "la" and There were no property rights; the rich were polite, the poor lived in kennels; hapless imps were hanged for a little lawlessness, and Dickens had only just begun to write novels.Two generations are nearly gone--the generations that saw the steamship, the train, the telegraph, the bicycle, the light, the telephone, and these cars before their eyes--saw so much wealth accumulating, saw the eight per cent drop to three per cent Money, and thousands of Forsytes!The social atmosphere has changed, customs have changed, people have become more alienated from monkeys, and God has changed into the God of Wealth—the God of Wealth is so praised that even he is confused.Sixty-four years of peace and prosperity have fostered property, created the upper-middle class; consolidated it, carved it, civilized it, and finally made the manners, manners, speech, appearance, habits, soul of this class almost like those of the nobles. become almost identical.This is an era that gilded personal freedom!A person who has money is free legally and in fact; a person without money is free legally but not free in fact.This is an age that honors hypocrisy, just pretend to be a gentleman.This is a great era, and nothing can escape its influence, and everything will go bad, and only human nature and the nature of the universe can escape.

Now to see the age pass away, London--the darling and fantasy of the age--is driving its inhabitants from every entrance into Hyde Park--that Victorian center and Forsyte's merry-go-round.The drizzle just stopped, and the dark crowd under the gray sky gathered here to watch this drama.It was the last time that their venerable old empress had come out of her solitary life to give London a holiday.On the roads that the god of death is about to pass, people from the streets and alleys came from Zhugougou, Akden, Yilin, Hampstead, Islinden and Bisinochang; West, Rittonstone, Battersea, and Fulham; from those green meadows where the Forsyte flourished--Mayfia and Cansingden, St. Elsie, and Regent's Park; all to behold the dead pomp and pomp.Never again has an Empress reigned so long, nor had the opportunity to see so much history sacrificed for their money.It's a pity that the war is still dragging on, and no victory wreath can be placed on the queen's coffin!All else will be here to honor and mourn her—soldiers, sailors, foreign princes, half-staff, death-knells, and especially that vast, dark-clothed crowd, whose hearts are deep in the prescribed black. There may be a little pure sadness here and there.In the final analysis, it is not just a queen who rested here, but a woman who got rid of her troubles and spent her blameless life and painstaking life!

Soames waited in the crowd, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed, yes!This era is over.Just look at this trade unionism, and those Labor guys in the House of Commons, and the novels on the Continent, and the air that is indescribably felt in every way; King's crowd that night, and George Forsyte's line: "They're all socialists, and they want our stuff!" Like James, Soames didn't know, couldn't say— —What happened to Edward after his accession to the throne!It will never be as peaceful as the old "Victoria" dynasty!He could not help strangling his young wife's arm.At least this bit is truly my own, and the family relationship has finally been reaffirmed; therefore, the property has value and becomes a real thing.Soames was content to be close to her, while trying to avoid any one else.Crowds swirled around them, eating sandwiches and dropping crumbs; boys climbed to the shrubs, chattered like a troop of monkeys, and threw down twigs and orange peels.The time has passed; the time has come!Suddenly, not far behind them to the left, Soames saw a tall man wearing a fedora with a short, shaggy beard, and a tall woman wearing a little round leather hat. cap and veil.It was Jolyon and Irene, just as he and Annette, standing next to each other, talking and smiling at each other.The two did not see him; Soames, with an indescribable feeling in his heart, peeped at the two, and they looked very happy!What are these two here for—two outlaws, traitors to Victorian ideals.What does it mean they are in the crowd?Each of them has been repeatedly cast aside by etiquette - what love and romance should they boast about.He looked at them with interest; and though his arms were entangled with Annette's, he could not help admitting that she--Irene--no!Don't admit it; his eyes look away.Don't look at them, don't let old pain or old feelings come back in your heart!Annette turned to him at last and said: "Those two, Soames, I daresay they know you. Who are they?"

Soames looked sideways. "who?" "There, you see them; just turn around. They know you." "No," answered Soames; "mistake, my dear." "What a beautiful face! What a beautiful walk! What a stunning woman!" Soames looked now.This is how she walked into his life and walked out of his life in the past--slender waist, elusive, elusive, and always avoiding his soul!He turned his head resolutely, not looking at the past that was going away. "You'd better watch the fun," he said, "the procession is coming!" But when he was holding Annette's arm, he stood there, seemingly looking at the front row of the guard of honor, but he was trembling in his heart, with a sense of loss, and the kind of regret that couldn't be both.

The music and the guard of honor drew nearer; in silence the long procession snaked through the park gates.He heard Annette whisper, "How sad and beautiful!" and felt her clutching him as she tiptoed.The sentiment of the masses also seized him.Over there - the hearse of the queen, the coffin of the times is slowly passing by!Where it passed, there rose from the long procession of spectators a low moan--soames never heard such a sound, so unconscious, so simple and primitive, so deep and rough, Mies, no one can figure out if there is their own voice in it, what a strange voice!A tribute to an age's own mortality... Alas!well! ...life has finally given up...that seemingly eternal thing is over!God bless the queen!

The groan moved forward with the hearse, like a slender flame burning on the grassland; it kept pace, advancing along the dense crowd of miles.It was a human voice, and yet it was not human, like the wail of a subconscious beast kindly aware of universal death and change.No one can—no one can hold on to it forever! There was only a short silence after the funeral procession--a short time, and then someone spoke, eager to recall the scene just now.Soames lingered a moment to satisfy Annette, and took her out of the park, to lunch at his father's in Park Lane. . . . James had spent the morning sitting at his bedroom window watching.It would be the last act he saw--the last act of many acts!She is dead too!Yes, she is already an old woman.Slesing and himself had seen her crowned—a slender girl, not as old as Imogen!She has gained weight recently.Old Jolyon and he had seen her get married to that German fellow her husband--the fellow died pretty well and left her that precious son.That guy was very ignorant when he was young. He remembered that he spent many nights with those brothers and their close friends, drinking and eating walnuts while talking and shaking their heads.Now he is on the throne.It is said that people are more secure - he doesn't know - and he can't say it!Dare to say, money will still be wasted.

There are so many people outside!I remember seeing her coronation in the crowd outside Westminster Abbey with Slesing, it didn't seem like many years ago, and then Slesing took him to Clermont Park-Stylesing is absurd Guy; by the way, it didn't take long, as if he and Roger rented a terrace on Piccadilly Street to watch the 50th anniversary ceremony before his eyes.Jolyon, Sweeting, Roger are all dead, and he's going to be ninety in August!Soames courted another French girl.The French are very special, but they are said to be good wives and mothers.Things have changed!It is said that the German Kaiser also came to the funeral, but his telegram to old Kruger was too shameful.Dare to say that this guy will always look for trouble one day.changed!snort!After he's dead, they're left to fend for themselves; what about him he doesn't know!Emily invited Dartie to lunch again, with Winifred and Imogen, to meet Soames' wife--Emily always had a great deal of joy.And Irene, I heard that she is already living with that fellow Jolyon, and he is afraid that he will marry her.

"While my brother Jolyon was alive," he thought, "what would he have said?" It seemed to trouble James very much that this brother whom he had admired so much in his life had no way of knowing what he would say now. So he got up from the window chair and started walking slowly around the room. "And she's pretty," thought James; "I used to like her very much. Maybe it wouldn't suit Soames—I don't know—and I can't tell. Our wife, never had any trouble. "Women have changed too—everything has changed!"Now the Empress is dead too—look!There was a stir in the crowd outside, and he stood motionless at the window, his nose white against the glass.They sent her all the way to the Triangle Field—the guard of honor has passed!Why doesn't Emily come up here to see, busy with what she's doing for lunch.He missed her so much at this moment—missed her!From among the bare branches of Xiaoxuanmu, he could barely see the funeral procession, and he could see people taking off their hats—I dare say that many people would catch cold!A voice behind him said: "You look wonderful here, James!" "You're coming!" said James; "why didn't you come sooner? It's almost invisible!" He silently looked around. "Where is the sound coming from?" He asked suddenly. "No sound," answered Emily; "what are you thinking—they won't cheer." "I can hear you." "Nonsense, James!" No sound came from the double-glazed windows of the house; all James heard was his own inner groan as he saw an era past. "Don't tell me where it's buried," he said suddenly, "I don't want to know." He turned away from the window.She has gone, old queen; she has had many troubles in her life--I dare say she is glad to get away thus! Emily picked up a hairbrush. "There's still time to comb your hair before they come," said Emily. "You ought to look good, James." "Ah!" murmured James, "they say she's pretty." The meeting with the new daughter-in-law is arranged in the dining room.James sat on a chair by the fire and waited for her to come in, then stood up slowly, leaning on the arm of the chair.He was crouching, impeccably dressed in a frock coat, thin as a geometrical line, holding Annette's hand in his; a pale, wrinkled face, anxious eyes doubting looking down.Probably due to the refraction effect of the light, her redness made his eyes a little softer, and his cheeks became a little rosier. "Hello!" he said. "You see the queen is in mourning, I think? There is no storm across the strait?" He received this woman who expected to bear him a grandson in this way. Annette looked at him with wide-open eyes, so old, so thin, so pale, so neat, and she muttered something in French that James could not understand. "Yes, yes," said he, "you are about to dine, I am afraid. Soames, ring the bell; we will not wait for that fellow Dartie." But just then they arrived.Dartie was determined not to bother to see the "old woman."He went to the Issim Club, ordered a cocktail in front of him early in the morning, and cast a glance from the smoking window so that Winifred and Imogen had to go to the club to meet him when they came out of the park. .His brown eyes stared at Annette in amazement and delight.Got another beauty by that fellow Soames!I don't know why women like him!Hey, she's sure to make him as ugly as that one; but he's pretty lucky right now!He brushed his moustache up, and nine months of home life in Green Street had at last brought his man back almost back, and his confidence back.Soames felt that the meal was not very successful in impressing his bride, despite Emily's efforts to entertain, Winifred's solemnity, Imogen's inquisitiveness, Dartie's self-show, and James. Take care of Annette to eat like a doctor.He took her away shortly after the meal. "That Monsieur Dartie," said Annette from the carriage, "I don't like that style!" "Of course!" said Soames. "Your sister is very gentle, and the girl is very beautiful. Your father is too old. I am afraid it will give your mother a lot of trouble; I would not be able to bear it if she was her." Soames nodded, admiring the shrewdness of his young wife for seeing things so clearly and accurately; but he felt a little uneasy.Perhaps this idea also crossed his mind: "When I am eighty and she is only fifty-five, then she will find me troublesome!" "I've got a relative who's going to take you for a run," he said. "You'll think it's very special, but we'll have to deal with it; and then we'll go to dinner and a theatre." He had said hello in advance before he brought her to Timothy's house.But Timothy's family was very different.Those people, who had not seen dear Soames for a long time, were overjoyed at meeting; and it was Annette! "You are beautiful, my dear! Too young and too pretty for Soames, isn't he? But he is very attentive and careful--what a husband,"--Aunt Jolie paused, noticing Ann The lower lids of both eyes--she later described them to Francie: "Pale blue, so beautiful, I just want to go up and kiss them. My dear Soames is a true collector." She's French, and yet not quite French, and I think she's just as beautiful—as Irene—but not as noble and charming as Irene. Irene is charming, isn't she? Those dark brown eyes, and the color of the hair, what's it called in French? I can't always remember." "Fuimote," Francie said to her. "By the way, the color of the leaves - it's very special. I remember when I was a girl, before we came to London, we had a little terrier - called 'Walking' at the time; All white fur, very beautiful dark brown eyes, and a female." "Yes, Auntie," said Francie, "but I don't know what to do with it." "Oh!" said Aunt Jurie, a little bewildered. "It's charming, you know, with its eyes and hair—" Aunt Jurie stopped suddenly, as if surprised by the vulgarity of the remark. "Fuimott," she continued suddenly; "Hester—you remember!" The two older sisters debated for a long time whether or not Timothy should be invited out to meet Annette. "Don't bother!" said Soames. "But it's no trouble, either, of course, and he may not be very happy to see that Annette is French. He was frightened to death by that incident at Vasouda. I think we'd better take no chances, Hester." .It was a pleasure to have this beauty just the two of us. And, Soames, how are you? Are you quite free from—” Hester interrupted hastily: "What do you think of London, Annette?" Soames was sweating, waiting for Annette's answer.The answer came very decently and calmly: "Oh! I know London very well, and I have been there before." He never dared to mention opening a restaurant to her.The French had a completely different view of family background than the English, and she was afraid that it might be ridiculous to her if they knew that they had opened a restaurant; so he had to wait until after he was married to tell her about it; now he regretted not talking about it. "What part of London do you know best?" asked Aunt Jolie. "SoHo," Annette said simply. Soames gritted his teeth. "Soho!" Aunt Qiu Li answered; "Soho?" "It's going to spread among the clan," thought Soames. "It's very French and very interesting," he said. "By the way," murmured Aunt Jolie, "your Uncle Roger used to have some properties over there; I remember he always made the tenants turn out." Soames turned the conversation to buying Borduron. "Of course," said Aunt Jolie, "you'll be coming down to live soon, and we're all looking forward to the day when Annette has a lovely little—" "Julie!" cried Aunt Hester anxiously. "Ring the bell for tea!" Soames took Annette away without daring to wait for tea. "I'd never mention Soho if I were you," he said from the carriage. "It's a rather disreputable place in London; and you're not a restaurant owner at all; I mean," he went on, "I want you to meet some upper-class people. Snob." Annette's clear eyes widened a little; a smile played on her lips. "Really?" she said. "Hmph!" thought Soames, "that's for me!" He looked at her desperately. "She knows business well," he thought. "I must ask her to understand immediately, so as to save trouble later!" "Listen to me, Annette! It's very simple, but make it clear. We, the professional and leisure classes, still pretend to be superior to businessmen, and get rid of the very wealthy businessmen. It may be foolish." , but you know, that's the way it is. In England, it's not very nice to let people know that you've owned a restaurant or a small shop or any small business. It can be very honorable to be in business, but It always puts a crime on you; you don't have fun, you don't meet interesting people—that's what it is." "I see," said Annette; "it's the same in France." "Oh!" said Soames, relieved and surprised at the same time. "Of course, it all depends on class, indeed." "By the way," said Annette; "you're very clever." "That's all," thought Soames, watching her lips carefully, "but she's a little too sarcastic." His French was not good enough to make him displeased that she had not used "tu."He put an arm around her and said in French with difficulty: "You are my beauty." Annette giggled. "Oh, no!" she said. "Oh, no! Don't speak French, Soames. What does that old lady, your aunt, expect?" Soames grew angry. "God knows!" he said; "she's always talking;" but he knew better than God.