My dear Emma, I have told you what led me
to think of it. I do not want the match - I do not want to injure dear little
Henry - but the idea has been given me by circumstances; and if Mr. Knightley
really wished to marry, you would not have him refrain on Henry's account, a
boy of six years old, who knows nothing of the matter?'
`Yes, I would. I could not bear to have
Henry supplanted. - Mr. Knightley marry! - No, I have never had such an idea,
and I cannot adopt it now. And Jane Fairfax, too, of all women!'
`Nay, she has always been a first favourite
with him, as you very well know.'
`But the imprudence of such a match!'
`I am not speaking of its prudence; merely
its probability.'
`I see no probability in it, unless you
have any better foundation than what you mention. His good-nature, his
humanity, as I tell you, would be quite enough to account for the horses. He
has a great regard for the Bateses, you know, independent of Jane Fairfax - and
is always glad to shew them attention. My dear Mrs. Weston, do not take to
match-making. You do it very ill. Jane Fairfax mistress of the Abbey! - Oh! no,
no; - every feeling revolts. For his own sake, I would not have him do so mad a
thing.'
`Imprudent, if you please - but not mad.
Excepting inequality of fortune, and perhaps a little disparity of age, I can
see nothing unsuitable.'
`But Mr. Knightley does not want to marry.
I am sure he has not the least idea of it. Do not put it into his head. Why
should he marry? - He is as happy as possible by himself; with his farm, and
his sheep, and his library, and all the parish to manage; and he is extremely
fond of his brother's children. He has no occasion to marry, either to fill up
his time or his heart.'
`My dear Emma, as long as he thinks so, it
is so; but if he really loves Jane Fairfax - '
`Nonsense! He does
not care about Jane Fairfax. In the way of love, I am sure he does not. He
would do any good to her, or her family; but - '
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