never thought or felt or seen anything

Rachel had obviously never thought or felt or seen anything,and she might be intelligent or she might be just like all the rest. 　　But Hewet's taunt rankled in his mind--"you don't know how to geton with women," and he was determined to profit by this opportunity. 　　Her evening-clothes bestowed on her just that degree of unrealityand distinction which made it romantic to speak to her, and stirreda desire to talk, which irritated him because he did not knowhow to begin. He glanced at her, and she seemed to him veryremote and inexplicable, very young and chaste. He drew a sigh,and began. 　　"About books now. What have you read? Just Shakespeare and the Bible?""I haven't read many classics," Rachel stated. She was slightlyannoyed by his jaunty and rather unnatural manner, while his masculineacquirements induced her to take a very modest view of her own power. 　　"D'you mean to tell me you've reached the age of twenty-four withoutreading Gibbon?" he demanded. 　　"Yes, I have," she answered. 　　"Mon Dieu!" he exclaimed, throwing out his hands. "You must beginto-morrow. I shall send you my copy. What I want to know is--"he looked at her critically. "You see, the problem is, can onereally talk to you? Have you got a mind, or are you like the restof your sex? You seem to me absurdly young compared with menof your age."Rachel looked at him but said nothing. 　　"About Gibbon," he continued. "D'you think you'll be ableto appreciate him? He's the test, of course. It's awfullydifficult to tell about women," he continued, "how much, I mean,is due to lack of training, and how much is native incapacity. 　　I don't see myself why you shouldn't understand--only I suppose you'veled an absurd life until now--you've just walked in a crocodile,I suppose, with your hair down your back."The music was again beginning. Hirst's eye wandered about the roomin search of Mrs. Ambrose. With the best will in the world hewas conscious that they were not getting on well together.