He is part of New York’s high society and a promising short story and novel writer
He is different from all the other prejudiced people of the upper class but through his background also used to the social standards
He is an intellectual, knows about the social rules and is aware that everyone, in some way or another, follows them
He is spontaneous, adventurous and Independent
He wants to marry Lydia and cannot understand why she refuses it
He feels like Lydia does not care about him and does not love him anymore. He challenges their relationship
He has always been blinded by Lydia’s pretended intellectual autonomy and he therefore did not see the female side of her mind
He is very considerate and always wants to please Lydia
He pities Lydia and knows that she depends on him and needs him to be able to persist in society
For him Lydia’s coming back means that she is finally ready to get married
Resources:
Griffin, Joseph. America's social classes in the writings of Edith Wharton: An analysis of her short stories. Lewiston, N.Y: Edwin Mellen Press, 2009. Print.156-161.