The Burden of Other People's Secrets — The Age of Innocence

Archer finds himself thrust into Ellen Olenska's divorce case when his law firm's senior partner, Mr. Letterblair, asks him to handle it due to his engagement to May Welland. The family wants Archer to discourage Ellen from pursuing the divorce, viewing it as a potential scandal. When Archer reads the legal papers, including a threatening letter from Ellen's husband, he's horrified by what she's endured but also conflicted about his role. The chapter reveals the brutal reality of Ellen's marriage through legal documents while showing how New York society prioritizes reputation over justice.

Archer realizes his own moral principles have been shallow, his previous affair with Mrs. Rushworth was considered acceptable because she was 'that kind of woman,' but Ellen's situation challenges these neat categories. The dinner with Mr. Letterblair crystallizes the conflict: the older lawyer represents society's desire to avoid 'unpleasantness' at all costs, while Archer begins to see this as moral cowardice. Despite initially agreeing with the family's position, Archer finds himself defending Ellen's right to choose her own path.

The chapter ends with Archer preparing to meet Ellen that evening, having arranged to see her before she leaves for the van der Luydens' estate. This setup forces Archer to confront whether he'll be society's enforcer or Ellen's advocate, a choice that will define his character and potentially his future.