End of Book 1

In Chapter 15 of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, we are basically introduced to the old Lily again. All of her seemingly deep realizations, washed away. Rather than wanting to go to simply be with Selden, but to have his help to pay back her debt to Mr. Trenor. They are to meet at four o'clock. The time comes and goes, with no appearance by Selden. This is starting to get ridiculous, everytime the two meet, they fall in love, yet they never end up together. Wharton has repeatedly brought the audience in, expecting for Lily and Selden to get together, then pulling the two apart. I'm beginning to lose faith that the two will ever come together. It seems as if by fate, they are not meant to be. Anyways, after Selden fails to shows, Rosedale shows up, essentially asking Lily to marry him knowing full well she would only be marrying him for the money. It's Lily's perfect situation yet she does not say yes. As she begins to write a letter that will undoubtedly end with Lily and Rosedale married, Lily receives a correspondance asking her to join Bertha Dorset in the Mediterranean.