The Age of Innocence

The Age of Innocence is a novel written by Edith Wharton and published in 1920. Set in New York City during the 1870s, the story follows the life of Newland Archer, a young lawyer who is engaged to marry May Welland, a beautiful and innocent girl from a wealthy family. However, their plans are disrupted when May's cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, returns to New York after separating from her abusive husband in Europe.As Newland becomes more involved with Ellen, he begins to question the rigid social conventions of his society and the choices he has made in his own life. Despite his growing feelings for Ellen, he is torn between his duty to his fianc�����e and his desire for a more passionate and fulfilling life.The novel explores themes of love, duty, and societal expectations, as well as the tensions between the old traditions of the upper class and the changing values of the modern world. Wharton's vivid descriptions of New York City high society and her insightful portrayal of her characters make The Age of Innocence a timeless classic of American literature.He bent and laid his lips on her hands, which were cold and lifeless. She drew them away, and he turned to the door, found his coat and hat under the faint gas-light of the hall, and plunged out into the winter night bursting with the belated eloquence of the inarticulate.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.