Mr. Elton cared little about it, compared with his wife; he only hoped “the young lady’s pride would now be contented;” and supposed “she had always meant to catch Knightley if she could;” and, on the point of living at Hartfield, could daringly exclaim, “Rather he than I!” – But Mrs. Elton was very much discomposed indeed. – “Poor Knightley! poor fellow! – sad business for him.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 53. While most people are delighted with the match between Emma and Mr. Knightley, the Eltons are not so gracious with their comments. Mr. Elton cynically remarks that Emma had always set out to snare Knightley, while Mrs. Elton ironically offers Mr. Knightley her sympathies.