But saving for her 'plentiful lack' of inborn baby-worship I cannot think of any great good quality most proper to the most noble among women which was not eminent in the genius as in the nature of Charlotte Brontë. Take for example neither of her great two masterpieces, but the most unequal and least fortunate of her three great books. Weakest on that very side where the others are strongest, 'Shirley' is doubtless a notable example of failure in the central and crucial point of masculine character. Robert Moore is rather dubious than damnable as a study from the male; but for his brother the most fervent of special pleaders can hardly find much to say on that score. No quainter example of a woman of genius in breeches— and very badly fashioned and badly fitting
