r husband, lamenting at Fate, which had directed her footsteps to the path which they had taken. She was just having a good cry all to herself. (NAtAL. 637)
             Why doesn't she do anything about it; why doesn't she leave? Because she understands that her situation offers no divorce. She isn't wealthy herself and society frowns upon this kind of behaviour. She simply doesn't see it as an option.
             Lily Bart isn't married but realizes that marriage is the only way she can lead a comfortable life. In a conversation with Lawrence Seldon she admits that there is nothing else for her. Seldon says:
             "Isn't marriage your vocation? Isn't it what you're all brought up for?"
             She sighed. "I suppose so. What else is there?"
             "Exactly. And so why not take the plunge and have it over?"
             ...