Good points. I had not considered the vulnerability that might have ben felt by Mr Woodhouse and his all-female household, and how reassuring Mr Knightley's frequent visits must have been.

The word "gentleman" sums Mr Knightley up perfectly. Perhaps when someone next posts a "what is a gentleman?" question at L&T, they should simply be advised to study the character of Mr Knightley to find their answer. He is the epitome of a gentleman in every sense of the word.