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Agnes Grey Anne Bronte 10410K 2023-09-02

As I ae that, about this time, I paid more attention to dress than ever I had done before This is not saying lectful in that particular; but now, also, it was no unco to spend as e in the glass; though I never could derive any consolation from such a study I could discover no beauty in those marked features, that pale hollow cheek, and ordinary dark brown hair; there ht be expression in the dark grey eyes, but what of that?--a low Grecian brow, and large black eyes devoid of sentiment would be esteemed far preferable It is foolish to wish for beauty Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior So said the teachers of our childhood; and so say we to the children of the present day All very judicious and proper, no doubt; but are such assertions supported by actual experience?

We are naturally disposed to love what gives us pleasure, and whatthan a beautiful face--e know no harirl loves her bird--Why? Because it lives and feels; because it is helpless and harmless? A toad, likewise, lives and feels, and is equally helpless and harh she would not hurt a toad, she cannot love it like the bird, with its graceful for eyes If a woman is fair and amiable, she is praised for both qualities, but especially the former, by the bulk of reeable in person and character, her plainness is coreatest crireatest offence; while, if she is plain and good, provided she is a person of retired oodness, except her immediate connections Others, on the contrary, are disposed to form unfavourable opinions of her mind, and disposition, if it be but to excuse themselves for their instinctive dislike of one so unfavoured by nature; and visa versa with her whose angel form conceals a vicious heart, or sheds a false, deceitful charm over defects and foibles that would not be tolerated in another They that have beauty, let theood use of it, like any other talent; they that have it not, let them console theh liable to be over-estiift of God, and not to be despised Many will feel this who have felt that they could love, and whose hearts tell theain; while yet they are debarred, by the lack of this or so that happiness they seeht the huht without which the roving fly ht pass her and repass her a thousand tied darling buzzing over and around her; he vainly seeking her, she longing to be found, but with no power to s to follow his flight;--the fly must seek another mate, the worm must live and die alone