Imprudent, if you please - but not mad

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 - '