Edith Wharton's novel, The House of Mirth, entails a crucial turning point near the end of Book I, in which the protagonist, Lily Bart, presents herself in the Brys fashion show. Lily portrays herself as Reynolds' "Mrs. Lloyd", and her performance in the tableaux vivant scene is breathtaking. Her intentions in putting her body on public display at the Brys party appear to be purely artificial and materialistic, aiming only to take advantage of an opportunity to flaunt her true beauty and to raise her diminishing social status. However, in the process, Selden views the beautiful Lily and is compelled to profess his love for her in a single kiss, revealing the possibility Lily had a more intimate intention. This intention was, however, mistakenly received also by Gus Trenor who is angered by her toying illusions.

"Here there could be no mistaking the predominance of personality - the...