She was quite convinced of Mr. Elton’s being in the fairest way of falling in love, if not in love already…”You have given Miss Smith all that she required,” said he; “you have made her graceful and easy. She was a beautiful creature when she came to you, but, in my opinion, the attractions you have added are infinitely superior to what she received from nature.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 6. Emma should have read the warning signs when Mr. Elton heaped lavish praise on her role in the transformation of her friend Harriet. But she didn’t. Convinced of her great matchmaking skills, she believes that Mr. Elton is falling in love with Harriet, if not already in love. But what she fails to hear is Elton’s obvious admiration for her, something that is obvious to the reader, making this an example of dramatic irony. The quote also reflects how Emma misreads people. All she can hear are Elton’s words of praise for Harriet, which is why Mr. Elton’s declaration of love for Emma comes as a shock to her later.