Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 25
Herthoughtsbeingstillchieflyfixedonwhatshehadwithsuchcauselessterrorfeltanddone,nothingcouldshortlybeclearerthanthatithadbeenallavoluntary,self-createddelusion,eachtriflingcircumstancereceivingimportancefromanimaginationresolvedonalarm,andeverythingforcedtobendtoonepurposebyamindwhich,beforesheenteredtheabbey,hadbeencravingtobefrightened.SherememberedwithwhatfeelingsshehadpreparedforaknowledgeofNorthanger.Shesawthattheinfatuationhadbeencreated,themischiefsettled,longbeforeherquittingBath,anditseemedasifthewholemightbetracedtotheinfluenceofthatsortofreadingwhichshehadthereindulged.
CharmingaswereallMrs.Radcliffe’sworks,andcharmingevenasweretheworksofallherimitators,itwasnotinthemperhapsthathumannature,atleastintheMidlandcountiesofEngland,wastobelookedfor.OftheAlpsandPyrenees,withtheirpineforestsandtheirvices,theymightgiveafaithfuldelineation;andItaly,Switzerland,andthesouthofFrancemightbeasfruitfulinhorrorsastheywerethererepresented.Catherinedarednotdoubtbeyondherowncountry,andevenofthat,ifhardpressed,wouldhaveyieldedthenorthernandwesternextremities.ButinthecentralpartofEnglandtherewassurelysomesecurityfortheexistenceevenofawifenotbeloved,inthelawsoftheland,andthemannersoftheage.Murderwasnottolerated,servantswerenotslaves,andneitherpoisonnorsleepingpotionstobeprocured,likerhubarb,fromeverydruggist.
