The Wreck of the Read. chap 3

[Jed Kelestron]

Esther's narcissism is articulated literally at 88.11ff:

. . . she standing behind him could see no further than the portrait,
held by the likeness as happened so often but seldom so clearly,
finding resemblances to herself everywhere as though she set out from
the start seeking identity with misfortune, recognition in disaster.

Perhaps one of the 'recognitions' is our own reflection in the pool of
reality. There are mirrors in the arms of the cross. Wyatt's studio
mirror is for correcting mistakes. Esther's is draped with a
handkerchief.