Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 14
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“Goodheaven!Wherecouldyouhearofsuchathing?”
“AparticularfriendofminehadanaccountofitinaletterfromLondonyesterday.Itistobeuncommonlydreadful.Ishallexpectmurderandeverythingofthekind.”
“Youspeakwithastonishingcomposure!ButIhopeyourfriend’saccountshavebeenexaggerated;andifsuchadesignisknownbeforehand,propermeasureswillundoubtedlybetakenbygovernmenttopreventitscomingtoeffect.”
“Government,”saidHenry,endeavouringnottosmile,“neitherdesiresnordarestointerfereinsuchmatters.Theremustbemurder;andgovernmentcaresnothowmuch.”
Theladiesstared.Helaughed,andadded,“Come,shallImakeyouunderstandeachother,orleaveyoutopuzzleoutanexplanationasyoucan?No—Iwillbenoble.Iwillprovemyselfaman,nolessbythegenerosityofmysoulthantheclearnessofmyhead.Ihavenopatiencewithsuchofmysexasdisdaintoletthemselvessometimesdowntothecomprehensionofyours.Perhapstheabilitiesofwomenareneithersoundnoracute—neithervigorousnorkeen.Perhapstheymaywantobservation,discernment,judgment,fire,genius,andwit.”
“MissMorland,donotmindwhathesays;buthavethegoodnesstosatisfymeastothisdreadfulriot.”
“Riot!Whatriot?”
“MydearEleanor,theriotisonlyinyourownbrain.Theconfusionthereisscandalous.
