Місіс Деллоуей

           Shebegantogoslowlyupstairs,withherhandonthebannisters,asifshehadleftaparty,wherenowthisfriendnowthathadflashedbackherface,hervoice;hadshutthedoorandgoneoutandstoodalone,asinglefigureagainsttheappallingnight,orrather,tobeaccurate,againstthestareofthismatter-of-factJunemorning;softwiththeglowofrosepetalsforsome,sheknew,andfeltit,asshepausedbytheopenstaircasewindowwhichletinblindsflapping,dogsbarking,letin,shethought,feelingherselfsuddenlyshrivelled,aged,breastless,thegrinding,blowing,floweringoftheday,outofdoors,outofthewindow,outofherbodyandbrainwhichnowfailed,sinceLadyBruton,whoselunchpartiesweresaidtobeextraordinarilyamusing,hadnotaskedher.

           Likeanunwithdrawing,orachildexploringatower,shewentupstairs,pausedatthewindow,cametothebathroom.Therewasthegreenlinoleumandatapdripping.Therewasanemptinessabouttheheartoflife;anatticroom.Womenmustputofftheirrichapparel.Atmiddaytheymustdisrobe.Shepiercedthepincushionandlaidherfeatheredyellowhatonthebed.Thesheetswereclean,tightstretchedinabroadwhitebandfromsidetoside.Narrowerandnarrowerwouldherbedbe.ThecandlewashalfburntdownandshehadreaddeepinBaronMarbot’sMemoirs.ShehadreadlateatnightoftheretreatfromMoscow.FortheHousesatsolongthatRichardinsisted,afterherillness,thatshemustsleepundisturbed.AndreallyshepreferredtoreadoftheretreatfromMoscow.