“I cannot make speeches, Emma…If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. – You hear nothing but truth from me. – I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it. – Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as you have borne with them. The manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them. God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover. – But you understand me. – Yes, you see, you understand my feelings – and will return them if you can. At present, I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 49. The story reaches its romantic climax with Mr. Knightley’s declaration of love and proposal to Emma. His speech features some of the most romantic lines in the novel. A man of action rather than an eloquent master of words, Mr. Knightley is not given to dramatic gestures, verbose speech or ornate language. He has a reputation for being reserved and not openly expressing his feelings. But he overcomes these obstacles to convey his profound and unwavering love for Emma in language that is direct, sincere and honest. Mr. Knightley’s growth as a character is shown as he bares his heart to Emma. He admits his flaws, being an “indifferent lover” and not making his feelings known, while lecturing and blaming Emma on her faults.
