“A young man, brought up by those who are proud, luxurious, and selfish, should be proud, luxurious, and selfish too. If Frank Churchill had wanted to see his father, he would have contrived it between September and January. A man at his age – what is he? – three or four-and-twenty – cannot be without the means of doing as much as that. It is impossible.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 18. Mr. Knightley takes a dim view of Frank Churchill failing to visit his father Mr. Weston for months after the latter’s marriage. If he really wanted to leave his guardians, the Churchills, he could have, Knightley feels. Frank has written a letter to his new mother Mrs. Weston saying he couldn’t visit due to restrictions by his guardians.