Newland Archer, a successful and charming young lawyer conducts himself by the rules and standards of the polite, upper class New York society that he resides in. Happily engaged to the pretty and conventional Mary Welland, his attachment guarantees his place in this rigid world of the elite. However, the arrival of Marys cousin, the exotic and beautiful European Countess Newland Archer, a successful and charming young lawyer conducts himself by the rules and standards of the polite, upper class New York society that he resides in. Happily engaged to the pretty and conventional Mary Welland, his attachment guarantees his place in this rigid world of the elite. However, the arrival of Marys cousin, the exotic and beautiful European Countess Olenska throws Newlands life upside down. Comedic, subtle and cynical in style, Wharton paints an evocative picture of a man torn between his passion and his obligation.