We have been having some debates (in previous posts) about the good and bad in Emma, but I was particularly struck by how much good there is in her response to Mr. Elton's proposals.

"Every part of it brought pain and humiliation, of some sort or other; but, compared with the evil to Harriet, all was light; and she would gladly have submitted to feel yet more mistaken -- more in error -- more disgraced by mis-judgment, than she actually was, could the effects of her blunders have been confined to herself.

"If I had not persuaded Harriet into liking the man, I could have born any thing. He might have doubled his presumption to me -- But poor Harriet!" (16)

Her thoughts are entirely for Harriet and despite what others say, not in view of Harriet as a project, but as a person who will be hurt by this news. I think this response does her great credit.