In 19th century New York, the upper class had their own set of judgment standards and rules of life, requiring decency and propriety. The young lawyer Newlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) is no exception. He is about to be engaged to the daughter of a rich family, May (Winona Ryder). However, on the eve of the engagement, he reunited with May's cousin, Ellen (Michelle Pfeiffer), who had just divorced and returned to New York from Europe. The two hit it off and fell in love. However, Ellen's bold behavior and self-seeking style were not accepted and allowed by the upper class. In everyone's eyes, she was an annoying monster. Newlon realized the value of this character and was impressed by it. If you can't be with the person you love, if you live your life not for yourself but for etiquette and decency, how empty and pale your life will be. Newlon wanted to elope with Ellen, but May was pregnant. Although they wanted to pursue their own happiness, they also didn't want to hurt others, so they finally chose to let go. Newlon married May, and the mild-tempered May was always at the center of innocence. However, it was not until May's death that they saw the other side of things...