Місіс Деллоуей

           AtHydeParkCorneronatubshestandspreaching;shroudsherselfinwhiteandwalkspenitentiallydisguisedasbrotherlylovethroughfactoriesandparliaments;offershelp,butdesirespower;smitesoutofherwayroughlythedissentient,ordissatisfied;bestowsherblessingonthosewho,lookingupward,catchsubmissivelyfromhereyesthelightoftheirown.Thisladytoo(ReziaWarrenSmithdivinedit)hadherdwellinginSirWilliam’sheart,thoughconcealed,asshemostlyis,undersomeplausibledisguise;somevenerablename;love,duty,selfsacrifice.Howhewouldwork—howtoiltoraisefunds,propagatereforms,initiateinstitutions!Butconversion,fastidiousGoddess,lovesbloodbetterthanbrick,andfeastsmostsubtlyonthehumanwill.Forexample,LadyBradshaw.Fifteenyearsagoshehadgoneunder.Itwasnothingyoucouldputyourfingeron;therehadbeennoscene,nosnap;onlytheslowsinking,water-logged,ofherwillintohis.Sweetwashersmile,swifthersubmission;dinnerinHarleyStreet,numberingeightorninecourses,feedingtenorfifteenguestsoftheprofessionalclasses,wassmoothandurbane.Onlyastheeveningworeonaveryslightdulness,oruneasinessperhaps,anervoustwitch,fumble,stumbleandconfusionindicated,whatitwasreallypainfultobelieve—thatthepoorladylied.