Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition,seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in theworld with very little to distress or vex her.She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father; and had, inconsequence of her sister's marriage, been mistress of his house from a very early period.

Hermother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses;and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as governess, who had fallen little short of amother in affection.Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a governess than a friend,very fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma.

Between them it was more the intimacy ofsisters. Even before Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office of governess, the mildness ofher temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint; and the shadow of authority being nowlong passed away, they had been living together as friend and friend very mutually attached, andEmma doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor's judgment, but directed chiefly byher own.The real evils, indeed, of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her ownway, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages whichthreatened alloy to her many enjoyments.

The danger, however, was at present so unperceived, thatthey did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her.Sorrow came-a gentle sorrow-but not at all in the shape of any disagreeable consciousness.-Miss Taylor married.

It was Miss Taylor's loss which first brought grief.

It was on the wedding-dayof this beloved friend that Emma first sat in mournful thought of any continuance.

The weddingover, and the bride-people gone, her father and herself were left to dine together, with no prospectof a third to cheer a long evening.

Her father composed himself to sleep after dinner, as usual, andshe had then only to sit and think of what she had lost.