(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters.)

S: I knew it! I am a bit astonished at Jane, but also her secrecy doesn’t surprise me. It’s Frank’s actions that annoy me most – his behaviour toward her really is appalling and very wrong, despite all the misunderstandings. 

R: YOU WERE RIGHT! Good guess there. I was only a little surprised by the revelation. I agree completely about Frank, though. He behaved wretchedly both in how he, apparently, led Emma on and how he spoke about Jane to Emma. 

S: At long last, in Chapter 47, Emma sees her folly with Harriet and her own folly of pride. Thankfully, she does realise that she loves Mr. Knightley, but I hope it’s not too late!

R: I feel so bad for Harriet! Another misunderstanding has led her to believe that Emma was encouraging her to kindle feelings for Mr. Knightley. Of course, now that Mr. Knightley’s bachelorhood is in danger from another woman, Emma finally realises that she actually loves him. What a mess. And I do wonder what had Mr. Knightley hurrying off to his brother’s house a couple of chapters ago. That seemed mysterious.

S: I know we’ve mentioned this before, but I really am glad that Emma continues to mature. Her conversation with Mrs. Weston, her care for her father, her reflections on her actions all point toward maturity.

R: Another chapter that continues to guide us through Emma’s self-reflection and growth. Austen wrote, ‘…what could be increasing Emma’s wretchedness but the reflection never far distant from her mind, that it had been all her own work?’ Isn’t that often the case? We often get ourselves into fixes that we come to later regret.

S: How very true, and how very sobering. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons we are taught to be slow to speak and quick to listen. 

I’m so glad that Mr. Knightley and Emma are in love and have expressed it! Now if only Harriet will also get a happy ending and end up with Mr. Martin will I be really happy!

R: Such a good chapter! Very reminiscent of Darcy’s second proposal to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. I was a little surprised to see it with several more chapters still to go! I also hope that Harriet gets her happy ending. Emma has some work to do there after leading Harriet so astray.

S: Frank’s letter, while not fully excusing his actions, does explain them, but he still really is rather selfish.

R: Frank finally confesses all! I’m impressed. I agree, though, that he’s still selfish. His behaviour with Emma, both in giving her attentions that he shouldn’t have and in the way they both behaved about Jane Fairfax, was abominable. Jane must be incredibly forgiving to take him back after all that.

S: It’s difficult to believe that we’ll have finished the book in the next discussion! I’m glad we are able to stay with these characters a bit longer.