“Dear Harriet! I would not change you for the clearest-headed, longest-sighted, best judging female breathing. Oh, the coldness of a Jane Fairfax! Harriet is worth a hundred such: and for a wife – a sensible man’s wife – it is invaluable. I mention no names; but happy the man who changes Emma for Harriet!”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 31. Speaking to herself, Emma expresses her love and admiration for Harriet. In her outpouring of affection in these final line of the chapter, she refers to Harriet as worth a hundred Jane Fairfaxes. She would be an excellent wife for a sensible man, Emma believes. Emma’s dislike of Jane prompts her to label her as cold and distant. This is an unfair misreading of Jane’s behavior. Jane’s reserve may arise from her embarrassment of having to seek a governess’s position, she being an orphan with limited means and not rich like Emma. We also later learn that Jane has been secretly engaged to Frank Churchill, another reason she might appear reserved.