The Bunner Sisters Part 3

I thought the juxtaposition between the woman with the puffed sleeves and Evelina's return was very interesting. Wharton was showing us first what Evelina wanted to be, then presenting us with what became of her after her marriage--given that they were so different, it almost made it worse when we learned Evelina's fate. It was also telling that right when Ann Eliza was considering expanding her tiny social circle and thinking about reaching out to this elusive woman she's watched for so long, her little sister returns to her life. She is literally anticipating introducing herself to this well off woman, this woman that Evelina idolized, and her sister walks into the shop and drives all thoughts of the woman with the puffed sleeves from her mind.