I have been wondering who we should believe in the assessment of the proposed match between Harriet and Robert Martin.

Obviously we know that Emma thought Harriet far above Robert
"Mr. Martin is a very respectable young man, but I cannot admit him to be Harriet's equal; and am rather surprized indeed that he should have ventured to address her." (8)

And we know Robert thought so too: "whether I approved his choice altogether; having some apprehension perhaps of her being considered (especially since your making so much of her) as in a line of society above him." (8)

But then of course we have Mr Knightley's point of view: "No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation....The advantage of the match I felt to be all on her side; and had not the smallest doubt (nor have I now) that there would be a general cry-out upon her extreme good luck. " (8)