The story revolves around Olive Chancellor, a fervent supporter of the women's movement in Boston, and her interactions with her cousin, Basil Ransom, a New Yorker with Southern roots and opposing views. They find themselves entangled in the lives of the charismatic Verena Tarrant and her family, whose involvement in the movement propels the narrative. The clashing ideologies of Olive and Basil set the stage for a dramatic exploration of societal expectations and personal ambitions.

Olive and Basil's Divergent Paths

Olive Chancellor, deeply invested in the progress of women's rights, invites her cousin Basil Ransom, a New Yorker with Southern origins and contrasting beliefs, to attend a gathering. This event takes place at the home of Miss Birdseye, a venerable leader in the movement. Though Basil is skeptical of feminist ideals, he accepts out of curiosity and the chance to meet the famed Mrs. Farrinder, a spokesperson for women's rights. At Miss Birdseye’s, Basil shares his critical views with Dr. Prance, a successful woman in a male-dominated field, further alienating Olive, who grows increasingly antagonistic toward him.

The Tarrant Family's Ambitions

Among the attendees at Miss Birdseye’s gathering are the Tarrants, a family whose livelihood hinges on the father's lectures on mesmerism. They claim their daughter Verena possesses a unique gift for public speaking, persuading Miss Birdseye to allow her to address the group. Verena's speech captivates the audience, including Olive, who immediately sees potential in her as a public advocate for women's rights. Basil, meanwhile, is enchanted by Verena's allure and charm, leading both to engage her in conversation post-performance.

Verena's Decision

While Basil returns to New York, Olive visits the Tarrants in Cambridge the following day, eager to recruit Verena for the women's movement in Boston. The Tarrants, eager for their daughter's ascent into society, support this idea. Despite being courted by several young suitors, Verena agrees to collaborate with Olive. Over time, the two women become inseparable, with Olive even arranging financially for Verena to reside at her home, where she is indoctrinated in feminist principles. Olive urges Verena to forsake marriage, declaring, "Men must take their turn" as subjects of domination and insisting that "they must pay!"

Basil's Struggles and Intentions

In New York, Basil grapples with his fledgling law career, spending his free time crafting essays critical of modernity, which remain unpublished. He manages financially by working for Olive's sister, Mrs. Luna, who is romantically interested in him, though he consistently rebuffs her advances. Mrs. Luna is the first to perceive Basil's infatuation with Verena, whom she dismisses as a fraud.

Return to Boston and Pursuit of Verena

Resolute in his feelings, Basil returns to Boston with the intent to court Verena. Outside Olive’s residence, he encounters Miss Birdseye, who mistakenly believes him to be a supporter of the movement and informs him of Verena’s location with her parents. Basil visits her in Cambridge, and though Verena initially rejects his overtures, she agrees to show him around Harvard, keeping the rendezvous a secret from Olive.

The Socialite's Gathering

After returning to New York, Basil receives an invitation to a gathering at Mrs. Burrage's, an event orchestrated by Verena for a public speaking engagement. At the event, Basil has a confrontation with Mrs. Luna, who accuses him of improper conduct regarding Verena. Despite this, Verena consents to social visits with Basil. When he proposes marriage and urges her to leave the movement, Verena hesitates, having also received an offer to stay with the Burrages, who support women's rights and whose son, Henry, wishes to marry her. Olive, wary of losing her influence over Verena, refuses to...