The House Of Mirth: Book 1 Chapter 9

In this portion of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Lily has came back from her cousin's wedding and has learned about Percy's engagement with Evie Van Osburgh. I feel that this was a good turning point in the story because Lily would be better off living a life of happiness and well-being with Selden than living a lie with Mr. Gryce. Lily is now at her aunt's house when a sudden visitor arrives asking for Ms. Bart. Lily comes to the door and realizes it is the charwoman who was at Selden's house in New York when she was waiting for her train (chapter 1). Lily is confused as to why she is there and soon learns that she has come to sell her some letters she has found to Mr. Selden from Mrs. Dorset. It tells of their affairs and she buys them off of the charwoman. Since the charwoman thought Lily was the author of the letters, I see it suitable that "Lily throbbed with fear..." (Wharton, 86). I get a sense of fear due to the fact that Lily was thought to be the author of the letters. This would be information the charwoman could use on Lily, even if Lily was not the author. Lily never told the charwoman, but Lily was more intent on the "dirt" she had on Mrs. Dorset. Lily hides the letters for a future time when she thinks she will need them.