House of Mirth Lesson Plan

Why do you think Selden came to Bellomont?

There are several small hints in this section to help answer this question. The most obvious answer is to see Lily, because the reader has the most access to Lily's thoughts and observations. However, there are hints that he is there to see Bertha Dorset, such as when Mrs. Trenor says, "Perhaps it's not over with Bertha after all." She even sees them talking in hushed tones at dinner, but uses the opportunity to compare Selden and Percy, rather than observing the couple. And, Selden was invited by the powerful Mrs. Trenor, so it is possible that he came at her call alone. (Selden never does say exactly why he came or who he...