Mr. Percy Gryce

In the second chapter of The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton introduces the character of Percy Gryce.  He is a flat character.  His personality can basically be summed up as a shy, rich, and somewhat selfish man who likes things the "proper" way.  His shyness is evident in the fact that he does not acknowledge Lily until she "accidentally" bumps into him.  His wealth is made very clear  from the author's description, Lily's thoughts, and in his interests.  His collection of Americana stands out as one way he likes to show that he is the inheritor of a great sum of money.  This wealth makes him the sort of candidate that Lily is looking for.  However, she is bored by his attitude and his interests, and I don't think they would make a good couple.  Another  attribute of Gryce that stands out is his egosim.  Wharton sated: "She had rightly guessed that Mr. Gryce's egoism was a thirsty soil, requiring constant nurture from without (p 16)."  Mr. Gryce liked people to acknowledge his wealth and power, and that is precisely what Lily plans to do to try to get him to marry her. If she is willing to look past his unattractive personality, she might be able to win all the money that she desires to possess.