The House of Mirth

During the winter season, when high society returns to New York City, Lily experiences even more how completely excluded she is from her former way of life. Lily rejected Rosedale’s offer out of self-respect “but there had been nothing in her training to develop any continuity of moral strength” (275). Gerty hoped that Lily would reform through adversity, but she now realizes that the lack of luxury does not teach Lily the trivialness of what she has lost. Lily passionately attempts to maintain appearances even if that policy further indebts her.

When Lily visits Gerty’s small apartment, she learns that Ned Silverton’s debts have impoverished his female relatives who are trying to find some work to do to support themselves. Jane and Annie Silverton innocently believed that Bertha Dorset was attempting to help Ned, but he spent even more money under Bertha’s influence than when he was infatuated with Carry Fisher. Bertha cut off Ned and he turned to gambling again. Ned is also accused of being a bad influence on young, wealthy Freddy Van Osburgh who left college and threatens to marry an unsuitable woman to whom Ned introduced him. Lily explains to uncomprehending Gerty that those who enjoy the hospitality of the rich must spend a lot by maintaining the proper clothing, tipping servants, and playing cards for money.