Question

mabel had her first serious suspicion that something was wrong as she took her cloak off and mrs. barnet, while handing her the mirror and touching the brushes and thus drawing her attention, perhaps rather markedly, to all the appliances for tidying and improving hair, complexion, clothes, which existed on the dressing table, confirmed the suspicion—that it was not right, not quite right, which growing stronger as she went upstairs and springing at her, with conviction as she greeted clarissa dalloway, she went straight to the far end of the room, to a shaded corner where a looking - glass hung and looked no! it was not right.
a. mabel is nervous about interacting with the distinguished guests in attendance at the party
b. mabel had been looking forward to meeting mrs. galloway before she became too fixated on her own appearance
c. mabel is suspicious of the people attending the party because they spend too much time fixing and improving their appearances
d. mabel feels anxious about her new dress, and begins to isolate herself from the party because of these insecurities

Explanation:

The text states Mabel first suspects something is wrong when she notices the party guests are overly focused on grooming/appearance tools. She then becomes more convinced something is off, isolates herself, and feels anxious about her own dress due to these insecurities. Option D directly matches this sequence of events. Option A is incorrect as her suspicion is not about nervousness around guests. Option B is wrong because her suspicion is not about looking forward to meeting Mrs. Galloway. Option C misrepresents her suspicion; she is not suspicious of the people, but rather feels anxious about her own appearance because of their focus on grooming.

Answer:

D. Mabel feels anxious about her new dress, and begins to isolate herself from the party because of these insecurities.