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Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

• The story takes place in the early 1870s in New York City.

• The protagonist, Newland Archer, arrives at the opera.

• Newland fixes his gaze on the opera box owned by Mrs. Manson Mingott.

• Newland is engaged to Mrs. Mingott's granddaughter, May Welland.

• The audience stirs at the arrival of a controversial member of the Mingott family, Countess Ellen Olenska.

• Ellen is estranged from her abusive French husband, Count Olenska.

• There are rumors that Ellen left her husband to live with his secretary.

• Newland joins the Mingott opera box and is shocked by Ellen's informality.

Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

• Julius and Regina Beaufort host their annual ball.

• The Beauforts are known as common people who secure their position in society only by their wealth.

• May tells Newland that he should tell Ellen about their engagement because she has already told some of her friends.

• Newland is not able to...

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