House of Mirth (Barnes & Noble Classics - Edith Wharton [0]
FROM THE PAGES OF THE HOUSE OF MIRTH
Title Page
Copyright Page
EDITH WHARTON
THE WORLD OF EDITH WHARTON AND THE HOUSE OF MIRTH
Introduction
Notes to Introduction
THE HOUSE OF MIRTH
BOOK ONE
I
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
II
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
BOOK TWO
I
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
IO
II
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
ENDNOTES
INSPIRED BY THE HOUSE OF MIRTH
COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
FOR FURTHER READING
FROM THE PAGES OF THE HOUSE OF MIRTH
Selden paused in surprise. In the afternoon rush of the Grand Central Station his eyes had been refreshed by the sight of Miss Lily Bart. (page 5)
Why must a girl pay so dearly for her least escape from routine? (page 18)
She had been bored all the afternoon by Percy Gryce—the mere thought seemed to waken an echo of his droning voice—but she could not ignore him on the morrow, she must follow up her success, must submit to more boredom, must be ready with fresh compliances and adaptabilities, and all on the bare chance that he might ultimately decide to do her the honour of boring her for life. (page 29)
Society is a revolving body which is apt to be judged according to its place in each man’s heaven; and at present it was turning its illuminated face to Lily. (page 54)
She was always scrupulous about keeping up appearances to herself Her personal fastidiousness had a moral equivalent, and when she made a tour of inspection in her own mind there were certain closed doors she did not open. (page 88)
She had, to a shade, the exact manner between victory and defeat: every insinuation was shed without an effort by the bright indifference of her manner. But she was beginning to feel the strain of the attitude; the reaction was more rapid, and she lapsed to a deeper self-disgust. (pages 106-107)
Old habits, old restraints, the hand of inherited order, plucked back the bewildered mind which passion had jolted from its ruts. (page 157)
“Can you imagine looking into your glass some morning and seeing a disfigurement—some hideous change that has come to you while you slept? Well, I seem to myself like that—I can’t bear to see myself in my own thoughts—I hate ugliness.” (page 175)
She had suffered for the very faithfulness with which she had carried out her part of the tacit compact, but the part was not a handsome one at best, and she saw it now in all the ugliness of failure. (page 240)
That was all he knew—all he could hope to unravel of the story. The mute lips on the pillow refused him more than this—unless indeed they had told him the rest in the kiss they had left upon his forehead. Yes, he could now read into that farewell all that his heart craved to find there; he could even draw from it courage not to accuse himself for having failed to reach the height of his opportunity. (page 348)
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The House of Mirth was first published in 1905.
Published in 2004 by Barnes & Noble Classics with new Introduction,
Notes, Biography, Inspired By, Comments & Questions,
and For Further Reading.
Introduction, Notes, and For Further Reading
Copyright © 2004 by Jeffrey Meyers.
Note on Edith Wharton, The World of Edith Wharton and The House of Mirth,
Inspired by The House of Mirth, and Comments & Questions
Copyright © 2004 by Barnes & Noble, Inc.
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The House of Mirth
ISBN 1-59308-153-7
eISBN : 978-1-411-43231-4
LC Control Number 2004102765