The House of Mirth Book 2 Chapters 3-4

In these chapters of Edith Wharton's House of Mirth, Lily's life begins to crumble away. Lily's supposed friends seemingly are abandoning her. Even Lily's aunt abandons her in death, giving Lily ten thousand dollars, while giving Grace Stepney the rest of her assets. I am curious as to where the story will go from here. It seems Lily's influential friends want nothing to do with her now. Will Lily be able to keep her lifestyle afloat, or will she be forced to live like the lowly Gerty Farish. Wharton writes "Lily had the doomed sense of the castaway who has signalled in vain to fleeing sails" (Wharton 185). While in the beginning of the story, Lily condemns the life of Gerty to Selden, it seems Lily may end up living like her, with only 10 thousand dollars to her name, which she is yet to receive. Miscommunication seems to be key in this story, for Grace hated Lily, only because she thought Lily hated her. It is due to this miscommunication that Grace tainted Lily's aunt's views of her, and has now lost her inheritance. Likewise, had Lily's aunt only questioned her about the accusations brought ahead of her, they may have found the truth was not what was told by Grace. I am curious as to what direction the story will now head, for it seems that Lily's life may have changed for good.