- More than a week has passed since Newland's visit with Madame Olenska.
- He is at Wallack's Theater for a performance of The Shaughraun. He really loves one of the scenes in this play.
- In the scene, the male lead leaves the female lead. She is turned away from him. Without her noticing, he kisses a black ribbon she is wearing around her neck and leaves.
- For some reason that night, this scene reminds Newland of his parting from Madame Olenska the last time he saw her.
- Afterwards, he is thanked by both Mrs. Welland and Mrs. Manson Mingott. They are pleased that Ellen had decided not to go through with the divorce.
- In the next box, he notices Madame Olenska sitting with the Beauforts, Lawrence Lefferts, and Mr. Sillerton Jackson.
- He goes over and Madame Olenska quietly asks him if he thinks the male lead will send the female lead some yellow roses.
- Newland is surprised. He had sent her yellow roses again without signing his name on the card.
- Madame Olenska asks Newland what he does while May is away in St. Augustine (where the Welland family goes every year for Mr. Welland's health).
- Newland says he works.
- Beaufort barges in on the conversation, so Newland leaves the box.
- Newland thinks over a letter he received from May, in which she asked him to look after Ellen.