“I am sure I have not an idea of any body else who would be at all desirable for her; – William Cox – Oh! no, I could not endure William Cox – a pert young lawyer.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 16. Moments after promising to give up her meddling matchmaking ways, we have the irony of Emma ignoring that resolution and reverting to old habits. She momentarily considers a young lawyer as a match for Harriet, then decides he’s not suitable. Foreshadowed here is Emma continuing to interfere in people’s romantic lives and encourage love matches.