House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.
This section of the book can be characterized by an economic dip, where "prices fell in accordance with that peculiar law which proves railway stocks and bales of cotton to be more sensitive to the allotment of executive power" (Wharton 98). This economic fall brings about a change in how people of the upper class live. There are not as many extravagant events or balls to attend, dinners and parties are shorter, and fashion industry slows tremendously. Despite this economic misfortune for many, some people, Welly Bry and Mr.Rosedale, found a way to stay ahead.
Thanksgiving season is usually one to foster family bonding and kindness, however, not in this case. Mrs. Peniston's dinner parties are envied by all the family and when Lily convinced Mrs. Peniston to deny Grace Stepney an invitation, Grace sought revenge. Grace had suspicions about Lily and Mr. Trenor so Grace lied to Mrs. Peniston, telling her that Lily and Mr. Trenor were having an affair. While this is not true, Lily's image within the group has been marred.
After the holiday season, Lily Returns to Belmont. Mrs. Bry uses her newly acquired wealth to put on a fashion show where people dress up and pose to imitate famous art works. At the show, Trenor confronts Lily and complains that she had not been fulfilling her obligation to him in exchange for him handling her finances. Also at the party, Selden and Lily retreat to the garden where they share a kiss, however, Lily again expresses that she does not want to marry him due to financial reasons.
These two chapters of the book mark much of the conflict that has been brewing due to Lily's wheelings and dealings. We shall see how she deals with these problems as the story progresses.
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