Harriet Smith accepts Robert Martin

Harriet Smith accepts Robert Martin's second proposal of marriage, a resolution that finally secures her happiness and releases Emma from the guilt of her earlier matchmaking. The event, which Mr. Knightley announces to Emma, overturns her expectations and brings the novel's romantic entanglements to a harmonious close.

The Announcement

Mr. Knightley brings the news to Emma one morning, having heard it directly from Robert Martin himself, who had left him not half an hour before. Emma is astonished, finding the intelligence almost impossible to believe, and she presses Mr. Knightley for every particular. He explains that Robert Martin had gone to town on business three days earlier and had been asked by John Knightley to join the family party at Astley's that same evening. The party included John and Isabella Knightley, their two eldest boys, and Harriet Smith. Robert Martin could not resist the invitation. The next day, John Knightley asked him to dine with them, and during that visit he found an opportunity to speak to Harriet. She accepted him, making him as happy as he deserved. He returned by the coach the following morning and reported his proceedings to Mr. Knightley immediately after breakfast.

Emma's Response

Emma's initial reaction is one of profound surprise, but she quickly recovers and expresses her delight. She insists to Mr. Knightley that the news does not make her unhappy, though she struggles to believe it at first. She asks him repeatedly whether he is certain that Harriet has accepted, even suggesting that he might have misunderstood Robert Martin's words, confusing a discussion about the dimensions of an ox with a proposal of marriage. Mr. Knightley firmly assures her that there was no obscurity in what Robert Martin said. Emma then declares herself perfectly satisfied and most sincerely wishes them happy. Mr. Knightley notes that she is materially changed since they last talked on the subject, and she admits that at that time she was a fool.

The Resolution of Harriet's Attachment

The acceptance resolves the painful situation that had arisen from Harriet's earlier, misplaced attachment to Mr. Knightley. Emma had been tormented by the thought that she had encouraged Harriet's hopes and that Mr. Knightley might return them. Now, with Harriet's happiness secured, Emma's sole grievance and alloy is removed. She reflects that Robert Martin has thoroughly supplanted Mr. Knightley in Harriet's affections, and that Harriet is now forming all her views of happiness around him. Emma acknowledges that Harriet had always liked Robert Martin and that his continuing to love her had been irresistible. The event also brings to light Harriet's parentage: she proves to be the daughter of a tradesman, rich enough to afford her a comfortable maintenance and decent enough to have always wished for concealment. Emma realizes that the stain of illegitimacy, unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed, and that she had been preparing a very different connection for Mr. Knightley.

The Wedding and Aftermath

Before the end of September, Emma attends Harriet to church and sees her hand bestowed on Robert Martin with complete satisfaction. Robert Martin and Harriet Smith, the latest couple engaged of the three, are the first to be married. Emma becomes acquainted with Robert Martin, who is now introduced at Hartfield, and she fully acknowledges in him all the appearance of sense and worth. She has no doubt of Harriet's happiness with any good-tempered man, but with him, and in the home he offers, there will be the hope of security, stability, and improvement. Harriet will be placed in the midst of those who love her, retired enough for safety and occupied enough for cheerfulness. Emma admits her to be the luckiest creature in the world to have created so steady and persevering an affection in such a man, or, if not quite the luckiest, to yield only to herself. The intimacy between Harriet and Emma must sink, their friendship changing into a calmer sort of goodwill, and this begins in the most gradual, natural manner.