Emma Woodhouse is a wealthy, charming young lady. Her family owns a grand mansion called Hartfield—one of two large estates near the small village of Highbury. She has suffered only one serious grievance in her sheltered life: the loss of her mother when she was very young. She was raised by her loving father, who worries so much over everyone’s health that he becomes very good friends with the local physician. She also had a kind and affectionate governess, Miss Taylor. (A governess was a live-in teacher and nanny employed by many wealthy families in England to educate their children, especially the girls.)

The story opens with Miss Taylor marrying a cheerful, wealthy gentleman who lives nearby, thus becoming Mrs. Weston. Emma had encouraged the couple’s. . .