"I am disappointed," was his only answer.

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"I am disappointed," was his only answer. Written by Stephanie (2/14/2011 4:44 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Snooping versus Complimenting, penned by Robbin

I think you forgot that Mr. Darcy did ask Elizabeth her opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Collins's happiness; in ch. 33 of P&P and in ch. 32, although Mr. Darcy does not ask it specifically, Elizabeth discusses Charlotte's sense being an asset to Mr. Collins, and Mr. Collins being a prudential match for her, and neither of them seem to feel she is being vulgar by doing so.

Indeed, it seems that pros and cons of matches are discussed by many of the characters in Austen novels. It seems perfectly reasonable to chat about a recent wedding amongst one's acquaintance. Of course, if Jane Fairfax did not wish to relax into such talk, she had a right not to. That leaves Emma with a perfect right in return to disagree with Mr. Knightley that she and Miss Fairfax should be boon companions, and that Emma should make as many overtures as necessary to overcome Miss Fairfax's "diffidence."

Miss Fairfax is cool towards Miss Woodhouse, yet if Mr. Knightley thinks Emma wrong in not attempting to change Miss Fairfax's mind, then Mr, Knightley is the one in the wrong in my opinion. Emma should naturally show Miss Fairfax the respect due her, but his attempt in ch. 21 to force an intimacy between them is stubborn and blind.

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The reserved Jane Fairfax (Chapter 20) -- long Anne-Marie (2/9/2011 7:08 p.m.)

Good discussion comparing and contrasting these two... jeffrey (2/11/2011 12:28 p.m.)
- Another contrast is in Emma's favour: health. nfm Tom P2 (2/13/2011 3:58 a.m.)
Jane Fairfax is a dull, boring... Reeba (2/11/2011 5:58 a.m.)
- PS: Her lacklustre response.... Reeba (2/11/2011 6:15 a.m.)
  - Maybe she realizes Emma is on a fishing expedition to AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 8:55 a.m.)
    - Of course she does. Emma is hardly subtle about it Kathleen Glancy (2/11/2011 12:38 p.m.)
      - And this is where I get annoyed with Emma again! Erica M. (2/12/2011 9:06 a.m.)
        
        I agree -- not the center of attention with the less showy AnnetteJ (2/12/2011 9:17 a.m.)
      - To be fair to Emma, she accepts...   Reeba (2/11/2011 6:43 p.m.)
        
        We don't actually know if Jane's praise was effusive   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 11:51 a.m.)
        
        Which would mean one can...   Reeba (2/14/2011 2:06 p.m.)
        
        Do you mean to say   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 3:38 p.m.)
        
        not rude, too polite   Nikki N (2/15/2011 5:27 a.m.)
        
        So much dignified impertinence   Tom P2 (2/14/2011 6:40 p.m.)
        
        Since we are not really told what questions...   Reeba (2/14/2011 5:22 p.m.)
        
        Mystery of the Questions   Robbin (2/16/2011 12:39 p.m.)
        
        I don't normally take Mr Knightley's word as 'must be'.   Reeba (2/17/2011 10:20 a.m.)
        
        I see it more as indifference   Ramya (2/17/2011 10:45 a.m.)
        
        I don't see the question...   Reeba (2/17/2011 11:00 a.m.)
        
        the [dis]agreeableness of yesterday's engagement   Stephanie (2/16/2011 9:55 p.m.)
        
        Perseverance & Diffidence   Robbin (2/18/2011 12:50 p.m.)
        
        There is my [view] I thought it would interest you   Stephanie (2/18/2011 11:39 p.m.)
        
        Diffidence & Friendship   Robbin (2/21/2011 12:56 p.m.)
        
        Distrust makes more sense   Frances G (2/18/2011 10:25 p.m.)
        
        Before Jane was 9.   Reeba (2/19/2011 3:26 a.m.)
        
        Unfair & Out of the Way   Robbin (2/21/2011 1:24 p.m.)
        
        But she gets stonewalled when she does ;-)   Reeba (2/21/2011 5:31 p.m.)
        
        Furthering their Acquaintance   Robbin (2/22/2011 1:43 p.m.)
        
        The portion you have bolded   Ramya (2/22/2011 2:26 p.m.)
        
        Overcoming Jane’s Reserve   Robbin (2/23/2011 9:23 a.m.)
        
        So, I look up every early reference I can find to Jane, ...   gianni (2/21/2011 11:41 p.m.)
        
        Distrust again   Frances G (2/23/2011 11:50 p.m.)
        
        Impertinent, even aggressive questions   Robbin (2/23/2011 11:02 a.m.)
        
        I agree. Jane is quite...   Reeba (2/23/2011 11:48 a.m.)
        
        will do each other any good   Stephanie (2/27/2011 2:58 p.m.)
        
        Jane's Dislike & Suspicions   Robbin (2/23/2011 12:38 p.m.)
        
        But you both ...   gianni (2/22/2011 11:32 p.m.)
        
        Miss Bates' letters to Jane....   Reeba (2/22/2011 7:46 a.m.)
        
        PS:   Reeba (2/22/2011 9:40 a.m.)
        
        Inside the Brain of Jane   Robbin (2/23/2011 11:44 a.m.)
        
        I Beg to Disagree about Emma's Questions   Jane Marie (2/22/2011 5:52 a.m.)
        
        Personal versus Business Questions   Robbin (2/23/2011 10:33 a.m.)
        
        Jane Only Owes a Civil Answer   Jane Marie (2/22/2011 6:20 a.m.)
        
        Mr. Knightly Assumes   Jane Marie (2/17/2011 6:23 p.m.)
        
        pray do not make any more matches   Stephanie (2/18/2011 12:10 p.m.)
        
        I thought "diffidence" meant shy here? NFM   Jane Marie (2/17/2011 9:58 a.m.)
        
        So did I!   Stephanie (2/17/2011 1:34 p.m.)
        
        We aren't indeed   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 6:48 p.m.)
        
        My conclusion.   Reeba (2/15/2011 9:29 a.m.)
        
        Thank you for explaining   Kathleen Glancy (2/15/2011 7:34 p.m.)
        
        Ah, but that's why I find Emma so amusing. :) nfm   Reeba (2/16/2011 3:19 a.m.)
        
        Good Point nfm   BarbaraB (2/14/2011 1:09 p.m.)
    - I don't think its... Reeba (2/11/2011 10:40 a.m.)
      - It cannot be envy of Emma ...   Rabab (2/13/2011 6:02 a.m.)
        
        Duty versus sincerity?   Patricia AA (2/13/2011 10:39 a.m.)
        
        neither provocation nor resentment were discerned   Stephanie (2/14/2011 3:18 p.m.)
        
        Emma's contrast to Miss Campbell   Nikki N (2/13/2011 7:29 a.m.)
      - Emm and Jane   Bridget D (2/11/2011 6:00 p.m.)
        
        At liberty to be cool, but not at Emma's place IMO....   Reeba (2/11/2011 7:40 p.m.)
        
        Jane   Bridget D (2/12/2011 3:44 a.m.)
        
        having paid the smallest attention to any one   Stephanie (2/12/2011 7:04 p.m.)
        
        Jane   Bridget D (2/13/2011 2:52 a.m.)
        
        yes, exactly   Nikki N (2/13/2011 3:08 a.m.)
      - Disagree that she is envious of Emma. Both are AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 10:58 a.m.)
    - I agree. Patricia AA (2/11/2011 9:34 a.m.)
      - I like it that Jane stonewalled Emma -- it gives Jane   AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 9:42 a.m.)
        
        You may throw as many bricks as you like, but...   Felicity (2/13/2011 8:50 a.m.)
        
        Emma was not impertinent   Patricia AA (2/13/2011 10:55 a.m.)
        
        Abominable Pride   Tarn (2/13/2011 1:21 p.m.)
        
        Was it really that inappropriate to ask?   Patricia AA (2/13/2011 1:48 p.m.)
        
        Snooping versus Complimenting   Robbin (2/13/2011 12:18 p.m.)
        
        "I am disappointed," was his only answer.   Stephanie (2/14/2011 4:44 p.m.)
        
        Unreasonable Expectations   Robbin (2/15/2011 9:01 p.m.)
        
        The other circumstance of regret   Stephanie (2/16/2011 10:06 p.m.)
        
        Yes, it does seem like...   Rabab (2/14/2011 12:04 a.m.)
        
        I agree. Emma is as subtle as a woodpecker. Why   AnnetteJ (2/13/2011 12:51 p.m.)
        
        Jane’s Health   Robbin (2/13/2011 6:05 p.m.)
        
        That's very normal with...   Reeba (2/13/2011 3:57 p.m.)
        
        There is a difference between having an open temper and   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 12:21 p.m.)
        
        I think Emma would....   Reeba (2/14/2011 2:14 p.m.)
        
        Well, I think we must agree to disagree   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 3:05 p.m.)
        
        I agree with your observations on Jane Fairfax's   Patricia AA (2/11/2011 5:47 p.m.)
- does Emma lead a completely idle life? Ra (2/11/2011 6:16 a.m.)
  - Of course not. Reeba (2/11/2011 6:21 a.m.)
    - lol! we take ourselves too seriously here nfm Ra (2/11/2011 6:53 a.m.)
What's the hurry about governessing? Louise H (2/10/2011 11:55 a.m.)
- Governessing Bridget D (2/10/2011 2:51 p.m.)
- Being a burden? Lynn (2/10/2011 12:58 p.m.)
  - She's not a burden to her family. Graciela (2/10/2011 1:55 p.m.)
    - What I meant was... Lynn (2/11/2011 12:47 p.m.)
      - Jane Fairfax's sense of duty TimLee (2/11/2011 1:07 p.m.)
    - "What must be at last, had better be soon." Louise H (2/10/2011 2:07 p.m.)
      - Jane as governess Bridget D (2/10/2011 3:28 p.m.)
      - Fresh off her education   Ramya (2/10/2011 2:26 p.m.)
        
        governesses   Nikki N (2/11/2011 1:45 a.m.)
        
        Interesting. Thanks, all. (nfm)   Louise H (2/11/2011 10:07 a.m.)
        
        Teach at a school? JA's other Emma could think of nothing worse.   Tom P2 (2/10/2011 6:25 p.m.)
Good analysis of Jane Fairfax's circumstances. The AnnetteJ (2/10/2011 8:45 a.m.)
- I've always felt that the resentment rather cut both ways. Patricia AA (2/10/2011 5:12 p.m.)
- This seems a bit harsh to me Laraine (2/10/2011 2:17 p.m.)
  - It appears Ramya (2/10/2011 2:32 p.m.)
    - discreet and reserved Nikki N (2/11/2011 1:25 a.m.)
    - Perhaps Jane Fairfax senses a lack of sincerity in AnnetteJ (2/10/2011 3:07 p.m.)
      - I don't want to start a shy/reserved Ramya (2/10/2011 3:54 p.m.)
        
        Emma and Jane Bridget D (2/11/2011 1:23 a.m.)
    - Emma Jane Bridget D (2/10/2011 3:01 p.m.)
      - I don't see Jane Ramya (2/10/2011 3:58 p.m.)
        
        Emma as Patroness Bridget D (2/11/2011 1:26 a.m.)
- An interesting point Nancy Ann (2/10/2011 9:15 a.m.)
  - Yes, it's a wonder she's not worse at this point! (NFM) jeffrey (2/10/2011 10:30 a.m.)
  - I agree! It is sometimes hard to argue with Jane Austen's AnnetteJ (2/10/2011 10:05 a.m.)
    - Mr. Elton and Jane Fairfax Jane Marie (2/10/2011 12:41 p.m.)
Jane Fairfax and Fanny Price Nikki N (2/10/2011 5:31 a.m.)
- Col Campbell Bridget D (2/10/2011 7:21 a.m.)

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