The House of Mirth: Book 1 VII-VIII

Lily Bart's skill of manipulating others for her own gain is clearly shown in this next section of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth.  Lily Bart also understands people very well and this helps her to manipulate others.  She not only uses her knowledge of people but also her good looks to attain what she wants most.  In this section she convinces Mr. Trenor to invest in stocks for her.  Towards the end of their conversation he realizes how much she needs his help and agrees to help her need.  Here Mr. Trenor has a change of heart in his opinion of how Lily should get her money,

"... but with the subject of discussion at his side, turning to him for sympathy, making him feel that he understood her better than her dearest friends, and confirming the assurance by the appeal of her exquisite nearness, he was ready to swear that such a marriage was a desecration, and that, as a man of honour, he was bound to do all he could to protect her from the results of her disinterestedness," (Wharton, 68).

I wish Lily would make up her mind and whether she wants to marry for happiness or money.  I also wonder whether she'll actually ever make up her mind.  Seldon and Gryce are both very nice gentlemen and they would both be good for her.  But if she isn't careful she may lose both men.