The American Chapter XVII

In which an evening at the opera unfolds into a subtle drama of social intrigue and personal import, with Newman observing the tensions among the Bellegardes and their acquaintances while contemplating proposals for a friend’s future abroad. The lively interplay of affront and honour culminates in the arrangement of a duel, revealing the delicate balance of amusement, ambition, and affection that colours their Parisian world.