Edith Wharton

The first of four novellas, which together were published in Old New York, set in the mid-1800sLewis Raycie is sent on a Grand Tour of Europe with instructions from his father to acquire a collection of accepted art works. His father's dream is to own a Raphael; instead, Lewis returns with a priceless collection of …

First published in 1905, THE HOUSE OF MIRTH shocked the New York society it so deftly chronicles, portraying the moral, social and economic restraints on a woman who dared to claim the privileges of marriage without assuming the responsibilities.Lily Bart, beautiful, witty and sophisticated, is accepted by 'old money' …