“But Mr. Knightley does not want to marry. I am sure he has not the least idea of it. Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry? – He is as happy as possible by himself; with his farm, and his sheep, and his library, and all the parish to manage; and he is extremely fond of his brother’s children. He has no occasion to marry, either to fill up his time or his heart.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 26. When Mrs. Weston talks of the “probability” of a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax, Emma presents sound arguments why Mr. Knightley will not marry. Like he loves his farm, sheep, managing the parish, and his brother’s children. But is it a case of “The lady doth protest too much?” While Emma doesn’t realize or accept it yet, she herself is in love with Knightley. We see here an example of Emma’s self-deception about her own desires.