The Custom of the Country

'The Custom of the Country', a novel by Edith Wharton, tells the story of Undine Spragg. The Spraggs, a family of midwesterners from the fictional city of Apex who have made money through somewhat shady financial dealings, arrive in New York City at the prompting of their beautiful, ambitious, but socially-naive daughter, Undine. She marries Ralph Marvell, a member of an old New York family that no longer enjoys significant wealth. Before her wedding, Undine encounters an acquaintance from Apex. Undine begs him not to do anything that will endanger her wedding.