Місіс Деллоуей

           Itwasprotective,onherside;sprangfromasenseofbeinginleaguetogether,apresentimentofsomethingthatwasboundtopartthem(theyspokeofmarriagealwaysasacatastrophe),whichledtothischivalry,thisprotectivefeelingwhichwasmuchmoreonhersidethanSally’s.Forinthosedaysshewascompletelyreckless;didthemostidioticthingsoutofbravado;bicycledroundtheparapetontheterrace;smokedcigars.Absurd,shewas—veryabsurd.Butthecharmwasoverpowering,toheratleast,sothatshecouldrememberstandinginherbedroomatthetopofthehouseholdingthehot-watercaninherhandsandsayingaloud,“Sheisbeneaththisroof....Sheisbeneaththisroof!”

           No,thewordsmeantabsolutelynothingtohernow.Shecouldnotevengetanechoofheroldemotion.Butshecouldremembergoingcoldwithexcitement,anddoingherhairinakindofecstasy(nowtheoldfeelingbegantocomebacktoher,asshetookoutherhairpins,laidthemonthedressing-table,begantodoherhair),withtherooksflauntingupanddowninthepinkeveninglight,anddressing,andgoingdownstairs,andfeelingasshecrossedthehall“ifitwerenowtodie’twerenowtobemosthappy.