Wharton, Edith — The Age of Innocence [1146]

But instead, he crossed the lawn and turned toward the box-garden. As he entered it he caught sight of something bright-colored in the summer-house, and presently made it out to be a pink parasol. The parasol drew him like a magnet: he was sure it was hers. He went into the summer-house, and sitting down on the rickety seat picked up the silken thing and looked at its carved handle, which was made of some rare wood that gave out an aromatic scent. Archer lifted the handle to his lips. — Wharton, Edith, The Age of Innocence, 1146

Note

The longing to possess the place and object belonging to Ellen is rendered through a physical fetish — the parasol he assumes is hers, lifted to his lips. Wharton lets the gesture carry the whole unspoken desire, and the misidentification that follows (it’s a Blenker girl’s) gives the scene its ironic pathos.