The Age of Innocence is a novel by Edith Wharton. It was published in 1920 and awarded a Pulitzer Prize the following year.
The plot is mainly set in New York during the 1870s. It tells the story of a lawyer, Newland Archer, and his involvement with two women: May Welland, who eventually becomes his wife, and her cousin, Ellen Olenska, the wife of a Polish count.
Unlike May, Ellen is known for her unconventional ways. She leaves her Polish count husband and having done so, flounts herself in New York society circle.
Newland Archer is called upon on behalf of the Welland family to dissuade Ellen from divorcing the count. The inner conflict in Newland is attracted by Ellen and falls in love with her, but the constraints of society and his impending marriage to May keep them apart. His interest in Ellen, however, continues after his marriage and prompts May to disclose to her cousin that she is pregnant. to avoid further complications, Ellen quickly leaves New York to live in Paris.
The present scene: Thirty years later. Newland is now a widower. He visits New York. He could have but decided not to call on Ellen, as he decides to let memories be.