Місіс Деллоуей

           Hehadgoneintodinnerratherlate,fromsomeidioticideaofmakinghimselffelt,andhadsatdownbyoldMissParry—AuntHelena—Mr.Parry’ssister,whowassupposedtopreside.ThereshesatinherwhiteCashmereshawl,withherheadagainstthewindow—aformidableoldlady,butkindtohim,forhehadfoundhersomerareflower,andshewasagreatbotanist,marchingoffinthickbootswithablackcollecting-boxslungbetweenhershoulders.Hesatdownbesideher,andcouldn’tspeak.Everythingseemedtoracepasthim;hejustsatthere,eating.Andthenhalf-waythroughdinnerhemadehimselflookacrossatClarissaforthefirsttime.Shewastalkingtoayoungmanonherright.Hehadasuddenrevelation.“Shewillmarrythatman,”hesaidtohimself.Hedidn’tevenknowhisname.

           Forofcourseitwasthatafternoon,thatveryafternoon,thatDallowayhadcomeover;andClarissacalledhim“Wickham”;thatwasthebeginningofitall.Somebodyhadbroughthimover;andClarissagothisnamewrong.SheintroducedhimtoeverybodyasWickham.Atlasthesaid“MynameisDalloway!”—thatwashisfirstviewofRichard—afairyoungman,ratherawkward,sittingonadeck-chair,andblurtingout“MynameisDalloway!”Sallygotholdofit;alwaysafterthatshecalledhim“MynameisDalloway!”

           Hewasapreytorevelationsatthattime.Thisone—thatshewouldmarryDalloway—wasblinding—overwhelmingatthemoment.