...I think I can see where Robbin is coming from. You're right, Mr. Elton does act differently when around women. I do believe, however, that when he is trying to position himself to make a favorable marriage, as we see with Emma, his behavior goes overboard, so sycophantic and groveling, as to become a negative, which is a clue to his basic character.

]...what annoys me is that Emma fails to notice any sign that Elton was courting her and not Harriet.