The Republic of the Spirit — The House of Mirth

Lily and Lawrence Selden leave Bellomont for an afternoon walk while the other guests motor to the Van Osburghs at Peekskill. She has broken two engagements for him. A headache kept her from church and from the walk with Percy Gryce. At luncheon she looked languid, scent-bottle in hand, and urged Gryce to join the cars. He went in a dust-hood and goggles. The autumn path climbs from a woody chill into lingering summer. Selden says his only engagement at Bellomont was with her.

He names success as a republic of the spirit, freedom from money, poverty, ease, and anxiety. Lily says no one ever told her such a country existed. She takes a cigarette and admits she has not smoked for days, because a girl about to marry must not. He says that may keep her out of the republic. She asks why he makes the life she has chosen seem hateful if he has nothing to give her instead. He says he has nothing, and that if he had, it would be hers. She drops her face and weeps for a moment.

Then she asks if he wants to marry her. He laughs that he does not want to, then says perhaps he should if she did, and that he will take the risk. He catches her hands and calls her the coward. They stand in the falling light like children who have climbed too high. She warns that she will look hideous in dowdy clothes, but she can trim her own hats. A remote hum crosses the valley. A black motor rushes along the high-road.

Lily starts, says they will not be back till after dark, and moves toward the lane. Selden tells her the car is going the other way and is not their party. She reddens and remembers she told the house she was not well and would not go out. He lights a cigarette to prove he has landed. She takes one from his hand and asks if he was serious. He says he took no risks. Then he tells her they should go down.