“I thank you; but I assure you you are quite mistaken. Mr. Elton and I are very good friends, and nothing more;” and she walked on, amusing herself in the consideration of the blunders which often arise from a partial knowledge of circumstances, of the mistakes which people of high pretensions to judgment are for ever falling into.
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 13. Emma’s response to John Knightley’s observation about Mr. Elton’s romantic pursuit of her is an excellent example of Austen’s use of humor and irony. Emma dismisses Knightley’s comments as a mistake typically made by “people of high pretensions to judgment.” Ironically this description perfectly fits her. Emma finds amusement in the misjudgments of others, especially regarding anything romantic between her and Mr. Elton. Due to her arrogance and pride in her superiority, she is blind to the truth. Mr. Elton is indeed interested in her, not Harriet, as she believes.