Mr. Weston Quotes

The event had every promise of happiness for her friend. Mr. Weston was a man of unexceptionable character, easy fortune, suitable age, and pleasant manners; and there was some satisfaction in considering with what self-denying, generous friendship she had always wished and promoted the match.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 1. The widowed Mr. Weston is seen as the ideal match for Emma’s governess and friend Miss Taylor. While Emma is sad at her friend’s departure from the household, she has married a pleasant man with good fortune, viewed as essential ingredients for a good husband.

“She is out of health now; but that indeed, by her own account, she has always been. I would not say so to every body, Mrs. Elton, but I have not much faith in Mrs. Churchill’s illness.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 36. Mr. Weston questions the legitimacy of Mrs. Churchill’s illness. We learn in the course of the novel how her illness is used to stop his son Frank Churchill from visiting him. The quote highlights the theme of deception, foreshadowing its growing importance as the story progresses. Despite Mr. Weston’s skepticism about whether Mrs. Churchill’s illness is genuine or fabricated or exaggerated, she does die in the end.

“I hope,” said he presently, “I have not been severe upon poor Mrs. Churchill. If she is ill I should be sorry to do her injustice; but there are some traits in her character which make it difficult for me to speak of her with the forbearance I could wish.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 36. Mr. Weston is suspicious of Mrs. Churchill’s attempts to prevent his son Frank from visiting him. The fact that he says “if she is ill” suggests that he is not convinced she is ill enough to require Frank to stay by her side.
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