Sep 14, 2026 · 57 min · 9 segments
Emma's carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when Harriet Smith receives an unexpected proposal from the respectable farmer, Mr Martin - a match Emma considers wholly beneath her young friend…
Who could have thought it? She was so surprised she did not know what to do.
Yes, quite a proposal of marriage and a very good letter.
At least she thought so, and he wrote as if he really loved her very much, but she did not know, and, and so she was come as fast as she could to ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do.
Emma was half ashamed of her friend for seeming so pleased and so doubtful.
"Upon my word," she cried, "the young man is determined not to lose anything for want of asking.
He will connect himself well if he can." "Will you read the letter?" cried Harriet.
"Pray do.
I'd rather you would." Emma was not sorry to be pressed.
She read and was surprised.
The style of letter was much above her expectation.
There were not merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition, it would not have disgraced a gentleman.
The language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer.
It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling.
She paused over it while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion with a, "Well, well," and was at last forced to add, "Is it a good letter, or is it too short?" "Yes, indeed, a very good letter," replied Emma rather slowly.
"So good a letter, Harriet, that everything considered, I think one of his sisters must have helped him.
I can hardly imagine the young man whom I saw talking with you the other day could express himself so well, if left quite to his own powers.
And yet it is not the style of a woman.
No, certainly it is too strong and concise, not diffuse enough for a woman.
No doubt he is a sensible man, and I suppose may have a natural talent for, thinks strongly and clearly, a- and when he takes a pen in hand, his thoughts naturally find proper words.
It is so with some men.
Yes, I understand the sort of mind.
Vigorous, decided, with sentiments to a certain point, not coarse.
A better-written letter, Harriet," said Emma, returning it, "than I had expected." "Well," said the still waiting Harriet.
"Well, a- and what shall I do?" "What shall you do? In what respect? Do you mean with regard to this letter?" "Yes," replied Harriet.
"But what are you in doubt of? You must answer it, of course, and speedily." "Yes, but what shall I say? Oh, dear Miss Woodhouse, do advise me." "Oh, no.
Who could have thought it? She was so surprised she did not know what to do.
Yes, quite a proposal of marriage and a very good letter.
At least she thought so, and he wrote as if he really loved her very much, but she did not know, and, and so she was come as fast as she could to ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do.
Emma was half ashamed of her friend for seeming so pleased and so doubtful.
"Upon my word," she cried, "the young man is determined not to lose anything for want of asking.
He will connect himself well if he can." "Will you read the letter?" cried Harriet.
"Pray do.
I'd rather you would." Emma was not sorry to be pressed.
She read and was surprised.
The style of letter was much above her expectation.
There were not merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition, it would not have disgraced a gentleman.
The language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer.
It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling.
She paused over it while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion with a, "Well, well," and was at last forced to add, "Is it a good letter, or is it too short?" "Yes, indeed, a very good letter," replied Emma rather slowly.
"So good a letter, Harriet, that everything considered, I think one of his sisters must have helped him.
I can hardly imagine the young man whom I saw talking with you the other day could express himself so well, if left quite to his own powers.
And yet it is not the style of a woman.
No, certainly it is too strong and concise, not diffuse enough for a woman.
No doubt he is a sensible man, and I suppose may have a natural talent for, thinks strongly and clearly, a- and when he takes a pen in hand, his thoughts naturally find proper words.
It is so with some men.
Yes, I understand the sort of mind.
Vigorous, decided, with sentiments to a certain point, not coarse.
A better-written letter, Harriet," said Emma, returning it, "than I had expected." "Well," said the still waiting Harriet.
"Well, a- and what shall I do?" "What shall you do? In what respect? Do you mean with regard to this letter?" "Yes," replied Harriet.
"But what are you in doubt of? You must answer it, of course, and speedily." "Yes, but what shall I say? Oh, dear Miss Woodhouse, do advise me." "Oh, no.
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