May decides to give a dinner party for her cousin Ellen. It will be a send-off from members of the family to demonstrate their unity in wishing Ellen well in her new life in Europe. For May, it will be the first large party she has ever arranged. As May’s mother declared on the morning before the dinner party, no one would be able to say that May and Newland had not given Ellen a proper farewell celebration. The event will also leave a pleasant impression on Ellen, Mrs. Welland adds.

Archer tries his best to stay out of the way as preparations continue throughout the day. When he has a chance to escape to his library, he comforts himself by silently saying that it will not be long, which suggests that he, too, will soon be leaving.

Ellen has been gone ten days, having returned to Washington to prepare for her departure. Archer did not hear from her during that time. He assumes that her silence means she is still fighting her fate. Archer is thankful that, at least, Ellen is not returning to her husband, so there is nothing stopping him from following her, no matter where she goes. Once he has taken that step, having made it evident that he is leaving May, Ellen cannot send him away, he thinks.

A few days before the dinner, Mr. Letterblair had asked for Archer’s assistance in going over the trust Mrs. Mingott has set up for Ellen. Mr. Letterblair evaluated the gift as a very “handsome arrangement.” He had wanted to extend the discussion, hinting that there were many rumors about Madame Olenska’s misjudgments in relation to her marriage, but Archer had stopped listening.

In another meeting with Mrs. Mingott, Archer had to endure even more insinuated insults against Ellen. Mrs. Mingott felt as if Ellen had deserted her. She believed that Ellen was bored with her and that was why she left. Archer did not attempt to provide any other reasons.

When the guests begin arriving for the dinner, Archer is distracted until Ellen suddenly appears at his side and May suggests that he escort Ellen to the table. Although they sit next to one another, Archer barely says a word to Ellen. He senses that everyone is watching them, as if they all believe he and Ellen are lovers. As the dinner progresses, his thoughts coalesced around the idea that the dinner has been staged for their benefit. The dinner is a symbolic gathering of the family, brought together as a rally for May’s benefit. Their coming together is to send a message that no one knows anything other than that May’s marriage to Archer remains intact. They will pretend that they only came to wish Ellen a safe journey. Archer knows that these people dread scandal even more than they do the plague. They will play out the scene as if life goes on without any blemishes.

Before dinner is over, Archer jumps on the chance to make the announcement that he, too, intends to travel. This causes a strained look on Ellen’s face. Archer calls to his friend, Reggie Chivers, and suggests that they join together for the venture. Reggie declines the offer but Archer feels satisfied that he has broached the topic of his leaving.

As the guests begin to put on their coats, Archer hopes to walk Ellen to her carriage so he might have a few minutes alone with her. He is disappointed, though, when he is told that Ellen is going home with the van der Luydens. He will not have...