The House of Mirth

In the morning at Bellomont, Lily receives a note from her hostess, Mrs. Tenor, asking her to fill in for her absent secretary and perform the social drudgery of writing cards and locating misplaced addresses. This is an obligation expected of Lily as an impecunious guest and “it renewed the sense of servitude which the previous night’s review of her cheque-book had produced” (41). Hosting house parties financed by her husband’s bank account that will outdo those hosted by her rival, Mrs. Maria Van Osburgh, is Judy Trenor’s primary focus. Lily believes that Judy is the least likely of her female friends to betray her since Judy’s social success involves little personal emotion.

Concern about whether her guests will be bored prompts Judy’s maneuverings. For this week’s party, Judy invited Lady Cressida Raith, the Duchess of Beltshire’s sister, to gain the advantage over Mrs. Van Osburgh, but she discovers that the English woman is too moral to be amusing. Judy relies on Carry Fisher to keep Mr. Trenor in good humor, although she knows that Carry borrows money from her husband. Carry’s divorced status shocks the Wetheralls, other guests. Judy worries that Bertha Dorset is furious with her because she promised that Selden would attend, but he did not.