yes exactly -and it appears that Mr K thinks SUCH a man would be a poor catch for Harriet, but if she turns down the man who is reasonably close to her rank, socially, she will problaby end up desperate enough to marry anyone... and he's probably right. If H had refused Robert M, then NOT had proposals from the various men that Emma might deem suitable, over a few years, I could see her getting increasingly desperate and unhappy iwht single life, espeicially if Emma had tired of her toy and was now not her close companion any more, or had married... and she'd be glad to marry any man with some kind of incoem. but clearly Mr K is showing his careful distinctions between the ranks as much as Emma does... A respectable gentlman farmer is perhaps a little TOO high for Harriet, but a possible... but a writing master's son is a poor match -...