The House of Mirth
Edith Wharton
This is now a painful love story. Seldon's love for Lily is agonizing- he loves her, even as selfish and undeserving as she is. Her need for him is far greater than she now knows, even though she admits that she once requested his help. He responds to the recall of his promise and says, "The only way I can help you is by loving you" (Wharton, 112). If Lily would only submit to the white angel on one shoulder rather than the avaricious scarlett devil on her other, she and Seldon would live a wildly passionate, beautifully crafted marriage. The simplicity of life Seldon would bring would only be simple in terms of matieral assets. He would bring her to a grounded, more earthy level, and they could develop a relationship based on an unadulterated, fuller view of what a true relationship should be. It's simply painful to see a charming, free-spirited woman like Lily go and waste herself on an idea of a man only rich with money. If only she would get herself out of her lustful fantasy with money long enough to appreciate the love and happiness Seldon gives to her.
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