In chapter 10 Harriet and Emma talk about Emmaīs future and Harriet fears that Emma will end up as an old maid like Miss Bates if she never marries. But Emma very self-confidently answers:"Never mind, Harriet, I shall not be a poor old maid; ... A single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable, old maid! ...but a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else."
How can Emma be so sure that she wonīt be a poor old maid? After reading P&P I thought that if a man had no son his wealth would go to the next nephew and his unmarried daughters would end up in poverty if they didnīt marry. Am I getting things wrong?
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