Місіс Деллоуей

           Sheowedhimwords:“sentimental,”“civilised”;theystartedupeverydayofherlifeasifheguardedher.Abookwassentimental;anattitudetolifesentimental.“Sentimental,”perhapsshewastobethinkingofthepast.Whatwouldhethink,shewondered,whenhecameback?

           Thatshehadgrownolder?Wouldhesaythat,orwouldsheseehimthinkingwhenhecameback,thatshehadgrownolder?Itwastrue.Sinceherillnessshehadturnedalmostwhite.

           Layingherbroochonthetable,shehadasuddenspasm,asif,whileshemused,theicyclawshadhadthechancetofixinher.Shewasnotoldyet.Shehadjustbrokenintoherfifty-secondyear.Monthsandmonthsofitwerestilluntouched.June,July,August!Eachstillremainedalmostwhole,and,asiftocatchthefallingdrop,Clarissa(crossingtothedressing-table)plungedintotheveryheartofthemoment,transfixedit,there—themomentofthisJunemorningonwhichwasthepressureofalltheothermornings,seeingtheglass,thedressing-table,andallthebottlesafresh,collectingthewholeofheratonepoint(asshelookedintotheglass),seeingthedelicatepinkfaceofthewomanwhowasthatverynighttogiveaparty;ofClarissaDalloway;ofherself.

           Howmanymilliontimesshehadseenherface,andalwayswiththesameimperceptiblecontraction!Shepursedherlipswhenshelookedintheglass.Itwastogiveherfacepoint.Thatwasherself—pointed;dartlike;definite.