Maybe the emptiness inside cause her to read the secular literature ?
Not reading the secular literature would not have automatically given her a bren for yiddishkeit.
Coldness in yiddishkeit is partially Yetzer Hara, partially one of the punishments of Golus and partially because we are physical beings that enjoy physical pleasures.
As Avraham Fried sings – the maamar hachasidim
Essen Est Zich Trinken Trinkt Zich,
Vos Zol Men Ton As Es Davent Zich Nit.
Essen Est Zich Shloffen Shloft Zich,
Vos Zol Men Ton As Es Lerent Zich Nit.
Translation:
Eating comes naturally; drinking and sleeping come naturally, but praying and studying Torah Seems to take much effort