These excerpts provide an overview and key scenes from Edith Wharton's novel, The Age of Innocence, focusing on the rigid social world of 1870s New York. The introduction frames the narrative as an exploration of the conflict between societal demands and personal freedom, highlighting the disappointed expectations of the protagonists, Ellen Olenska and Newland Archer. Several passages detail the intense scrutiny and gossip surrounding Countess Olenska after her return to New York society, particularly focusing on her unconventional behavior, such as seeking a divorce and associating with disreputable figures like Julius Beaufort. Ultimately, the text illustrates the immense pressure placed upon Archer to maintain "decency above courage" by marrying May Welland and adhering to the family code, despite his profound emotional connection to Ellen.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.