Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 14
Thelittlewhichshecouldunderstand,however,appearedtocontradicttheveryfewnotionsshehadentertainedonthematterbefore.Itseemedasifagoodviewwerenolongertobetakenfromthetopofanhighhill,andthataclearblueskywasnolongeraproofofafineday.Shewasheartilyashamedofherignorance.Amisplacedshame.Wherepeoplewishtoattach,theyshouldalwaysbeignorant.Tocomewithawell-informedmindistocomewithaninabilityofadministeringtothevanityofothers,whichasensiblepersonwouldalwayswishtoavoid.Awomanespecially,ifshehavethemisfortuneofknowinganything,shouldconcealitaswellasshecan.
Theadvantagesofnaturalfollyinabeautifulgirlhavebeenalreadysetforthbythecapitalpenofasisterauthor;andtohertreatmentofthesubjectIwillonlyadd,injusticetomen,thatthoughtothelargerandmoretriflingpartofthesex,imbecilityinfemalesisagreatenhancementoftheirpersonalcharms,thereisaportionofthemtooreasonableandtoowellinformedthemselvestodesireanythingmoreinwomanthanignorance.ButCatherinedidnotknowherownadvantages—didnotknowthatagood-lookinggirl,withanaffectionateheartandaveryignorantmind,cannotfailofattractingacleveryoungman,unlesscircumstancesareparticularlyuntoward.
