Chapter 8 Summary

A week later, Newland Archer nervously watches Ellen Olenska enter the van der Lyden drawing room. She needs only to present herself tonight, in order to be accepted into New York society. Newland notes that Ellen looks a little older than her age. She's paler, and some of her youthful vibrancy was gone. However, there was still something so mysteriously beautiful about her.

After dinner, Newland Archer watches Ellen Olenska talk with the duke. Apparently, they met each other in Europe while Ellen was with her husband. Then, the unthinkable happens as Ellen suddenly crosses the room to speak with Newland. It was custom for a lady to remain seated and wait for a gentleman to come and speak with them. Ellen Olenska seems to be unaware or unconcerned about this rule of social norm.

Ellen approached Newland to decipher whether or not...