The opening lines of P&P are the narrator satirizing society but I am not convinced that is Emma’s purpose in Ch. 10 for she knows it would swoosh directly over Harriet’s head without making so much as a mark. Emma is in mentor mode and teaching Harriet what makes a woman never marrying, such as herself, acceptable to society. She even explains why her theory “it is poverty only which makes celibacy contemptible to a generous public… is not quite so much against the candour and common sense of the world as appears at first” (10). Even admitting that Miss Bates does not fit her theory gives Emma no idea of reconsidering the validity of it. It seems another instance of Emma making piecemeal assertions as if they are facts. I think her comment poor old maids are “the proper sport of boys and girls” (10) is not particularly mean spirited but rather reflects her own general lack of respect and sympathy for these woman. (:D)