[3] Despite a certain sharpness of tongue,[4] his genuine qualities are revealed for example by his disappointment when he sees Emma insult Miss Bates, a spinster of modest means.

[8] In the course of the story, Emma believes that she falls briefly in love with a young, handsome man named Frank Churchill.

[10] Frank Churchill's guardian—his aunt—dies, and he is now free to publicise his engagement to Jane Fairfax, which had been kept secret to avoid his domineering aunt's disapproval.

Emma becomes very unhappy; finally it dawns on her that she loves Mr. Knightley—and has for a time, apparently unconsciously[11]—and is distressed as she believes Mr. Knightley and Harriet to be on the verge of marriage.

Mr. Knightley is in London, visiting his brother John and sister-in-law Isabella (Emma's sister), when he is apprised of Churchill's clandestine engagement.