...if that's what you mean as I realize they have not been introduced. I don't think a person has to be present, or even know each other, to treat them badly or unjustly. I realize we all give our opinions about people, good as well as negative but we generally have some proof in their behavior as having done something that generally warrants that opinion. Emma is methodically changing Harriet's good opinion of someone Harriet thinks well of and who has treated her well. There is no real basis that I can see for Emma's negative thoughts and opinions about the Martins other than to serve her own purposes. All Emma has heard about the Martins's has been good, only positive. She knows Mr. Knightley thinks well of them and so does Harriet. I guess my point was that just being of a higher class or whatever does not preclude being just to those of a lesser position.
I'm not sure I entirely caught the gist of what you were saying and I apologize if my own post was not clear. If I still haven't addressed what you were trying to say let me know. Thanks, Reeba.