While leaving the theatre, Newland runs into his friend Ned Winsett. Ned immediately asks the name of the "swell dark woman". Newland recognises that his curiosity is directed at Ellen and he is annoyed. Winsett explains that Ellen had bandaged up his little boy when he had fallen. Newland tells Ned that her name is Countess Olenska. Ned asks why a countess would live in his neighbourhood; Newland says it is because she doesn't care about social signposts. The next day, Newland searches all over town for yellow roses but cannot find them. He sends her a message so they can meet later in the day, but she does not write to him. On the third morning of hearing nothing from Ellen, he finally receives a letter from her. She said that she has "run away" and that she is staying with the van der Luydens in Skuytercliff. She says she feels "safe" with them. Newland immediately decides to accept an invitation and visit the Chiverses (whose invitation he had previously rejected) because they are only a few miles from Ellen.
Newland arrives at the Chiverses on Friday and on Sunday he leaves to visit Ellen. She has gone to church so he takes a cutter (a light sleigh) to find her. He sees her on the path from the church. They play in the snow and then go to the small Platoon house so they can talk privately. They had only spoken a few moments when she indicates that she is running away from Beaufort; suddenly he arrives and there can be no more discussion of the topic. Newland returns to New York, curious about just why she was running away. He drowns himself in great novels for a few days and then Ellen sends him a message asking him to visit her late and at night. Newland is not sure how to reply; so he leaves for St. Augustine, Florida to visit May.
Newland travels to St. Augustine to see his fiancée, May. With her, "here was truth, here was reality". Newland kisses her when they can find a moment of seclusion, but the kiss is so hard and adamant that May pulls away. May and Newland have breakfast with her family. They thank Newland for convincing Ellen not to divorce. The day before his departure, Newland takes May to the Spanish gardens in order to encourage her to be his wife sooner. May says that perhaps the pressure is due to the fact that he may not continue to care for her much longer and marriage would be a security. She is worried he is still in love with the mistress from two years ago. Newland convinces her that this is not the case and she believes him and they embrace. While Newland had been away, Ellen had stopped by to meet his mother and sister. Mrs. Archer does not think she is as plain as she first appears. Indeed, Newland remarks that she is quite different than May. Newland goes to visit Mrs. Catherine Manson Mingott when he returns because he has so many messages for her. Mingott jokes, "Why don't you marry Ellen?" Newland remarks that she had not been around. Newland reveals to Ellen and Manson Mingott that he wanted to convince May to marry him sooner. Ellen suggests that perhaps she and her grandmother can be of assistance. Ellen asks Newland to visit her and he does the next day. When he arrives at her home, a cast of strange people greets Newland. There is his friend Ned, who leaves at first opportunity. There is a quack, Dr. Carver, who leaves to attend a lecture. And, there is the Marchioness Mingott, Ellen's aunt. She tells Newland that she has come on Count Olenski's behalf to convince Ellen to return to Europe.
Ellen comes down the stairs. She sees that someone has brought her a bouquet and she is annoyed ("I'm not engaged to be married") and asks Nastasia to take the bouquet to Ned's wife. Newland puts the Marchioness Mingott in her carriage. After she is gone, Ellen and Newland smoke. Newland reveals Mingott's belief that Ellen will return to Europe. Ellen blushes and says, "Many cruel things have been believed of me." Then after some conversation, Newland reveals that he is in love with Ellen. Ellen is angry because it is Newland that has made it impossible for them to marry; he convinced her not to divorce. Newland says that it is his right to renege on the marriage since May refused to marry him early. But just as he says this, a telegram arrives informing Ellen that her help has made it possible for the two to marry just after Easter one month away! May and Newland are married and they spend their honeymoon, due to a twist of fate, at the Platoon home. Ellen, "due to illness", could not attend the wedding; she had been away for four weeks with her aunt.
On the honeymoon, Newland realises that there isn't much to emancipate in May because she is totally unaware that she may not be free. They visit some boring family friends, the Carfry's, and enjoy making fun of them on the way home. Time passes. It has been a year and a half since Newland last saw Ellen. He spends August in Newport with all the other wealthy members of his society. Everyone stands around and watches May shoot an arrow like a goddess at a little contest at the summer party. Later, May decides she wants to visit her Granny and takes the reins of the carriage. Catherine tells them that Ellen is at home but when they call for her the maid says she has already walked toward the sea. Newland is asked to retrieve her but as he approaches her he realises that he cannot find the power to approach her. He decides that he will watch a boat and see if it passes a rock before Ellen looks at him. The boat passes the rock and Ellen has not turned her gaze away from the sea. So, Newland retreats to the house and pretends he could not find her. That night, as May and Newland travel back to the Welland's home, May comments that perhaps Ellen would have been happier with her husband. Newland says her comment was cruel, "Watching the contortions of the damned is supposed to be a favourite sport of the angels; but I believe even they don't think people happier in hell." All night Newland lays awake thinking of Ellen.
The Blenkers, the family where Ellen is staying, decide to throw a garden party, which means that none would be home. Strangely, Newland decides to go to the Blenkers' home with the hope of seeing the place where Ellen has been living. He goes to the home, expecting it to be deserted, and finds one of the Blenker daughters who reveals to him that she has gone to Boston. Newland goes to Boston and sends a message to Parker House, where Ellen is staying, but she is not there. He sees her sitting on a bench outside of the building. He says hello and for the first time, he sees a startled look on her face. Previously, the narrator has told us that Ellen never seems to become surprised. She is on a bench thinking if she should return to her husband. He has sent a messenger to bring her back and he is offering a big sum of money. Newland stares at her and says, "Haven't we done all we could?" They take a boat ride together and then have dinner in a private dining hall; they do not touch and barely speak to each other. The silence and isolation is simply enough. Finally, the "silent spell is broken" and the two break out in conversation. Newland asks why she has not returned to Europe and Ellen says, "Because of you." Then, she begins to recount her feelings, which is one of the most fascinating passages in the book: "At least it was you who made me understand that under the dullness there are things so fine and sensitive and delicate that even those I most cared for in my other life look cheap in comparison.
It seems as it I'd never before understood with how much that is hard and shabby and base the most exquisite pleasures may be paid for." Ellen thanks Newland for making her the woman she is. Newland says that he is not much of a man at all: "I'm the man who married one woman because another one told him to." Ellen goes on to say that it is their sacrifice that has made May's life so lovely. And, Newland insists that she dare not base her happiness on the success of his marriage since, "[Ellen] gave [him] his first glimpse of a real life, and at the same moment asked him to go on with a sham one. It's beyond human enduring. She exclaims, "But I'm enduring it!" And the two realise that they will never be alone since they will both silently endure the same pain. Ellen says she will stay in America as long as they continue to endure; as long as they do not disobey propriety for their love.
Newland wanders back to New York in a "golden haze." On leaving the train station he runs into a gentleman he had seen near Ellen's Boston residence, the Parker House. They agree to meet later in Newland's office. His name is Monsieur Riviere and his first comment to Newland is, "I believe I saw you yesterday in Boston." Riviere reveals that he had been the messenger sent by Olenski to Ellen. Newland is, at first very angry. But, then Riviere reveals that he, personally, believes that the worst thing for Ellen would be for her to return. He reasons that she is an American and believes certain things that are commonplace in Europe to be unthinkable in her mind as an American. Riviere reveals to Newland that he is quitting his job with Olenski.
Over Thanksgiving dinner, the matter of changing society is thoroughly discussed. For example, now even May goes to Mrs. Struthers' home for Sunday night amusement Previously, Mrs. Struther's reputation was too questionable to allow for any of New York's upper crust to pay her a visit. Mrs. Archer, of course, brings up the fact that it was Ellen who attended the dinners first. May blushes deeply when Ellen's name comes up; Newland is very concerned about what the blush means. Beaufort's name also comes up over the meal because he has been illegally speculating and may go to prison or go bankrupt. Meanwhile, dreams of Ellen have become Newland's "real" life. He reads the books she used to read. He is "absent" from his society. After dinner, Newland and Sillerton Jackson retreat to the Gothic library. Jackson mentions that Ellen is almost financially cut off by her family for her refusal to return to the Count. He implies that now that Beaufort is bankrupt, she may be forced to return to Europe because he won't be able to support her. Newland is very angry and concerned for Ellen. He tells May that he will go to Washington on business. May understands that he is going to see Ellen, although she does not say anything.
At first, Wall Street is reassured that Beaufort can pay his bills. Mrs. Beaufort is seen at the Opera in brand new emeralds, a sign that Beaufort has enough money to keep his wife well-jewelled. However, it is later revealed that Beaufort, in fact, could not pay his bills. At the law firm, Newland receives a telegram saying that Mrs. Manson Mingott has had a stroke. Apparently, Mrs. J. Beaufort had approached her the night before asking if the family could stand up for her during her husband's financial crisis. Catherine replies firmly in the negative. Mrs. Beaufort says "But my name, Auntie, is Regina Dallas, " trying to remind her that prior to her marriage she was a member of one of the most prominent New York families. And Catherine replies, "It was Beaufort when he covered you with jewels, and it's got to stay Beaufort now that he's covered you with shame." Catherine also requests that Ellen come back from Washington so that she can convince her to return to her husband. May remarks that it will be a pity that Newland will not be able to see her since he will be going to Washington while she is returning. Newland leaves to the telegraph office to send Ellen the message.
Newland sends off the telegram; he is confronted at the office by Lefferts who wants to of course discuss the rumours. Later, at the Wellands', there is a crisis over who shall pick Ellen up at the station. Newland volunteers to go. May asks Newland how he will have the time to pick up Ellen and still make it to Washington. Newland lies and says that his business trip has been postponed. May catches him in a lie but has too much propriety to confront him about it. As Newland leaves for the station, May seems to have a tear in her eye.
Newland takes the dark blue carriage (with the wedding varnish still on it) to pick up Ellen from the train station. They talk about all the common things and her grandmother's stroke. When they see a hearse, Ellen grabs Newland's hand for fear that the hearse is meant for Granny. But Newland assures her that Granny is fine and takes the opportunity of holding her hand to kiss it. He tells her that he hardly remembered her because, "Each time you happen to me all over again." To bring him back down to earth, Ellen comments, "This is May's carriage." Newland retaliates by mentioning Riviere and asking if he was the secretary that once rescued her. She answers "yes". Newland remarks on her honesty. Ellen says she calls them as she sees them because "she's looked at the Gorgon." [The Gorgon is a monster from Greek mythology whose stare turned victims to stone; Medusa was the most well known Gorgon.] Ellen kisses him. He says he cannot live the way he lives any longer.
Following this, there are two important passages that elucidate the theme of the novel: Archer says, "I want to get away with you into a world where words and categories don't exist. Where we shall be simply two human beings who love each other, who are the whole of life to each other; and nothing else on earth will matter." She sighed, "Oh, my dear where is that country? Have you ever been there? I know so many who've tried to find it; and believe me, they all got out by mistake at wayside stations: at places like Boulogne, or Pisa, or Monte Carlo and it wasn't at all different from the old world they'd left, but only rather smaller and dingier and more promiscuous." Ellen says there can never be happiness between them because it can only occur behind other's backs. Newland gets out of the carriage angrily and walks away. Newland returns for dinner. "Archer was struck by something languid and inelastic in May's attitude, and wondered if the deadly monotony of their lives had laid its weight on her." The two discuss the same commonplace gossip. Newland decides to read some history instead of poetry because he hates listening to the way May analyses poetry. And May does her embroidery although her big hands are not naturally suited to the work. They argue over leaving the window open and then go to bed.
Seven days later Mrs. Manson Mingott invites Newland, just Newland, to her home. There, she half- jokingly accuses Newland of having made advances toward Ellen isn't this why she threw him out of the carriage? Then, surprisingly, Catherine informs Newland that she's going to keep Ellen in New York to take care of her and that she needs Newland's support to convince the family that she should not be sent back to Europe. Newland agrees.
Newland begins walking home from Catherine's. In his mind, he wrestles with the plausibility of really having an affair with Ellen. He goes to the Beaufort's home, since Catherine informed him that Ellen is there. He meets Ellen there and they decide to meet the next day at the Art Museum. At the museum, they look at relics. Ellen says, "it seems cruel that after a while nothing matters any more than these little things, that used to necessary and important to forgotten people, and now have to be guessed at under a magnifying glass and labelled: 'Use Unknown'". Ellen realises that her presence so near to Newland will endanger his marriage; she is deeply afraid of having a tawdry affair and becoming "just like the others". So, she and Newland decide that they will "come to each other" (in other words 'have a sexual tryst') once and then she will return to Europe. Then Ellen exclaims that she is late and leaves Newland in the museum. Newland returns home and May is out; she returns and says that she just came back from a long talk with Ellen. May seems happy and sad; she suddenly has a better esteem for Ellen. At the same time, she flings her arms around Newland in a tearful embrace exclaiming, "You haven't kissed me today!"
Newland and his wife and mother go to the Opera. He goes to watch the performance of Faust and Mrs. van der Luyden comments that she saw Catherine's carriage parked outside of the Beaufort's home. May quickly lies for Catherine saying that she is certain that the carriage was there without Catherine knowing. The van der Luydens realise that Ellen had taken the carriage to the Beauforts. Mrs. Archer tries to make excuses: "Imprudent people are often kind." Newland watches the opera with some disgust thinking, "the same large blonde victim is succumbing to the same small brown seducer." May is wearing her wedding dress for the first time in two years. Wharton explains that "it was the custom, in old New York, for brides to appear in this costly garment during the first year or two of marriage."
Newland decides that he absolutely must leave and whispers to May that he has a beastly headache and wants to go home. In the carriage, Newland opens the window, needing air. Stepping out of the carriage, May tears her wedding dress. Newland asks if she'd like some brandy "because she looks very pale" but May blushes and says "no". Newland tries to talk to May about Ellen; but May cleverly guides the conversation to explain that Ellen will be returning to Europe soon. Newland is obviously shaken by the news and May leaves the room quietly saying "my head aches too." The Archers begin setting up for their first dinner party, "a big event" for a young couple. The party will be in honour of Ellen Olenska leaving New York and returning to Europe.
Although Ellen had not spoken to Newland in ten days, he returned a key that he had given her earlier in a blank envelope. Newland is assigned the job of evaluating Ellen's trust. All the while that he is taking care of her finances, he think that there will be an affair between the two in the future. His belief in the future keeps him from writing to her.
The night of the dinner party Ellen looks pale, "lustreless and almost ugly." But still, Newland had never loved her face as much as he did at that moment." Newland notices that Ellen's hand is ungloved. Newland thinks, "If it were only to see her hand again I should have to follow her". Normally, only "foreign visitors" would be important enough to sit at the hosts left and take the place of Mrs. van der Luyden. But, they make an exception and let Ellen sit to the host's left because, "There were certain things that had to be done, and If done at all, done handsomely and thoroughly; and one of these in the old New York code, was the tribal rally around a kinswoman about to be eliminated from the tribe." Newland realises that everyone thinks that a true "affair" had been going on between Newland and Ellen; the celebration is really because the "separation between himself and the partner of his guilt had been achieved." It was the New York way to take a life without any traces of blood. Everyone sits at the table discussing travel in a dispassionate way. Newland looks at Ellen; he imagines she is thinking, "Let's see it through," which means, let's have our affair as planned. All the men retire to the library after dinner, and discuss how their society is changing. Larry Lefferts says, "If things go on at this pace we shall see our children fighting for invitations to swindlers' houses and marrying Beaufort's bastards." Later that evening, May asks if it is all right if they have a talk. Newland tries to tell her that he is tired of life and wants to go on a long trip; May says, that he can't go because she found out today that she is pregnant. Newland has a "sick stare" and asks whom she has told. She says that she's told Mrs. Archer and Mrs. Welland and Ellen. She had told Ellen about it two weeks ago. Newland asks her why she would tell Ellen about her pregnancy if she was not sure about it until today. She says, "I wasn't sure then, but I told her I was."
Newland is now fifty-seven and he is remembering his life while sitting at his writing table. He thinks about his son Dallas and his daughter Mary. Mary married one of Reggie Chivers's dullest sons. Dallas became an architect and Newland became a politician, briefly. Newland realises that he has become a "good citizen" although he has missed the "flower of life." Newland respected the duty of marriage and mourned when May died. Dallas calls his father on the telephone and tells him that he is going to Paris on business; Newland must accompany him. Newland reflects that so much had changed in his world. Dallas, his eldest son, was in fact marrying one of "Beaufort's bastards", Fanny Beaufort, and no one cared! Newland goes to Paris with his son; there, Dallas informs him that Ellen is expecting them in the evening. Dallas says that Newland should definitely go see her because Ellen was once "Newland's Fanny", the "woman Newland would have chucked everything for, but didn't." Dallas reveals that May said, on her death bed, that she asked Newland to give up the thing he wanted most, and he did." Newland says simply, "She didn't ask." Dallas then remarks that May and Newland never told each other anything; they lived in a silent "deaf and dumb asylum." When Newland and Dallas arrive in Ellen's neighbourhood; Newland decided that he doesn't want to go up and see her. When Dallas asks him what she should say on his behalf, he says, say that I'm "Old-fashioned." Dallas goes to see Ellen and Newland sits on the bench outside her building for a long time; when a servant comes to shut her shutters, Newland decides to leave the neighbourhood.