Emma Woodhouse, rich, clever, beautiful, and no more spoiled and self-satisfied than one would expect under such circumstances, had just seen her friend, companion, and ex-governess, Miss Taylor, married to a neighboring widower, Mr. Weston. 爱玛·伍德豪斯家境富有，人又聪颖、美丽，处于这种环境里的人有些娇生惯养，自以为是，也在情理之中。她刚刚参加了她的朋友、伴侣、前家庭教师泰勒小姐嫁给邻近的鳏夫韦斯顿先生的婚礼。
Emma rather than Jane was the recipient of his gallantries, however, and Emma could see that Mr. and Mrs. Weston were hoping that the romance would prosper. 但他对之大献殷勤的姑娘却不是简而是爱玛。爱玛明白韦斯顿夫妇希望这颗情种能够开花结果。
