Poor Harriet was in a flutter of spirits which required all the reasonings and soothings and attentions of every kind that Emma could give. Emma felt that she could not do too much for her, that Harriet had a right to all her ingenuity and all her patience; but it was heavy work to be for ever convincing without producing any effect, for ever agreed to, without being able to make their opinions the same. Harriet listened submissively, and said “it was very true – it was just as Miss Woodhouse described – it was not worth while to think about them – and she would not think about them any longer” but no change of subject could avail, and the next half-hour saw her as anxious and restless about the Eltons as before.
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 31. Revealed here is Harriet’s emotional pain over Mr. Elton, who will soon arrive in Highbury with his new bride. She is in a state of anxiety and distress. Harriet believed that Mr. Elton was in love with her, a belief encouraged by Emma and her matchmaking efforts. But he broke Harriet’s heart when he rejected her. Feeling guilty over her role in Harriet’s heartbreak, Emma tries desperately to comfort her.