Quote by Virginia Woolf
First a warning, musical; then the hour, irrevocable. The leaden circles dissolved in the air.
Summary
This quote suggests that before something significant or life-altering occurs, there are often subtle and indirect signs or warning signals. It compares these warnings to the introductory musical notes that precede a dramatic moment in a play or performance. The quote also implies that once these warnings or indications are present, the impending event becomes inevitable and cannot be reversed. The mention of the leaden circles dissolving in the air further emphasizes the fleeting nature of these hints, suggesting that they disappear quickly once the significant event is set in motion.