ABSTRACT
‘… To be so bent on Marriage — to pursue a Man merely for the sake of situation—is a sort of thing that shocks me; I cannot understand it. Poverty is a great evil, but to a woman of Education & feeling it ought not, it cannot be the greatest. — I would rather be Teacher at a school (and I can think of nothing worse) than marry a Man I did not like.’ — ‘I would rather do any thing than be Teacher at a school—said her sister. I have been at school, Emma & know what a Life they lead; you never have. — I should not like marrying a disagreeable Man any more than yourself, — but I do not think there are many very disagreeable Men; — I think I could like any good humoured Man with a comfortable Income. — I suppose my Aunt brought you up to be rather refined.’ ‘Indeed, I do not know. — My conduct must tell you how I have been brought up. I am no judge of it myself… ‘ — But I can see in a great many things that you are very refined. I have observed it ever since you came home, & I am afraid it will not be for your happiness. Penelope will laugh at you very much.’
