Emma by Jane Austen

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 the world with very

little to distress or vex her.

She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate,

indulgent father; and had, in consequence of her sister’s marriage, been

mistress of his house from a very early period. Her mother 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 a mother in affection.