Mrs. Weston becomes the mother of a little girl, just what Emma had wished for her. George and Emma hardly ever mention Harriet, and Emma is grieved that she cannot be fully open with him about her pretty friend, who is now to remain with the John Knightleys until they all come down in August. Meanwhile Emma finds a time to tell her father of her engagement. Shocked, he tries to dissuade her from it, but she softens him a little by the time George, as planned, arrives to add his persuasive powers. Finally, after Isabella through letters and Mrs. Weston in person join the others to persuade him, Mr. Woodhouse begins to think "that some time or other—in another year or two, perhaps—it might not be so very bad if the marriage did take place."
When the news spreads over Highbury, everyone is surprised, but in general the match is very well approved by everybody except Augusta Elton, who pities "poor Knightley."
