“She is a riddle, quite a riddle!” said she.
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 33. Emma is commenting on what she thinks is the enigmatic nature of Jane Fairfax. She cannot understand why Jane has chosen to stay in Highbury under difficult circumstances with the “insufferable” Mrs. Elton and her husband. It turns out that the Campbells, whom Jane had been living with, have gone to Ireland to visit their daughter and Mrs. Elton has taken Jane under her wing. Since Jane has little financial resources of her own, she depends on the kindness of others. This highlights the difficult position women like Jane who lacked wealth found themselves in Austen’s time – something Emma had no personal experience of.