“I confess that I have seldom seen a face or figure more pleasing to me that hers. But I am a partial old friend.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 5. Early in the novel Mr. Knightley expresses his admiration for Emma, as he comments on her beauty and physical attractiveness to Mrs. Weston. While he qualifies his remarks by saying he is an old friend, his deeper feelings for her are hinted at here, foreshadowing his declaration of love for Emma later in the story.