Місіс Деллоуей

           Heknewit.Sotheroomwasanattic;thebednarrow;andlyingtherereading,forshesleptbadly,shecouldnotdispelavirginitypreservedthroughchildbirthwhichclungtoherlikeasheet.Lovelyingirlhood,suddenlytherecameamoment—forexampleontheriverbeneaththewoodsatClieveden—when,throughsomecontractionofthiscoldspirit,shehadfailedhim.AndthenatConstantinople,andagainandagain.Shecouldseewhatshelacked.Itwasnotbeauty;itwasnotmind.Itwassomethingcentralwhichpermeated;somethingwarmwhichbrokeupsurfacesandrippledthecoldcontactofmanandwoman,orofwomentogether.ForTHATshecoulddimlyperceive.Sheresentedit,hadascruplepickedupHeavenknowswhere,or,asshefelt,sentbyNature(whoisinvariablywise);yetshecouldnotresistsometimesyieldingtothecharmofawoman,notagirl,ofawomanconfessing,astohertheyoftendid,somescrape,somefolly.Andwhetheritwaspity,ortheirbeauty,orthatshewasolder,orsomeaccident—likeafaintscent,oraviolinnextdoor(sostrangeisthepowerofsoundsatcertainmoments),shedidundoubtedlythenfeelwhatmenfelt.Onlyforamoment;butitwasenough.