While I have a very high opinion of Mr. Knightley, I've always been left a little cold by his statement about how "he would like to see Emma in love, and have her not be too certain of a return" because he thinks it would do her good. I can understand his frustrations with her character and yes, she is more than a little spoiled by being "clever, handsome, and rich" with "very little to distress or vex her." But unrequited love is a painful thing and anyone who would wish that on someone else for that person's "good" is not going to rank quite as high in my books as they would otherwise. Of course, the delicious part is that Mr. Knightley's wishes rebound upon him and *he* is the one who loves and is not so certain of a return . . . did it do you good, Mr. Knightley? ;-) I much prefer him as he is during the Box Hill incident, when he openly rebukes Emma for her bad behaviour. That, at least, is straightforward disapproval backed up with some very good reasons for why he dislikes it and considers it "badly done."

Mary Anne