The Jewel Casket

The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
"You have not been able, then, to bring your sister over to your plan of general civility," said Edward to Elinor, "Do you gain no ground?" 　　 "Quite the contrary," replied Elinor, looking expressively at Marianne. 　　 "My judgment," he returned, "is all on your side of the question; but I am afraid my practice is much more on your sister's. I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural awkwardness. I have frequently thought that I must have been intended by nature to be fond of low company, I am so little at my ease among strangers of gentility!" 　　 "Marianne has not shyness to excuse any inattention of hers," said Elinor. 　　 "She knows her own worth too well for false shame," replied Edward. "Shyness is only the effect of a sense of inferiority in some way or other. If I could persuade myself that my manners were perfectly easy and graceful, I should not be shy." 　　 "But you would still be reserved," said Marianne, "and that is worse." 　　 Edward started- "Reserved! Am I reserved, Marianne?" 　　 "Yes, very."