Emma Woodhouse is handsome, clever, rich, and quite certain she knows best, especially when it comes to other people's hearts. Comfortable and a little spoiled in her quiet country village, where she keeps house for her fretful father, she fancies herself a gifted matchmaker and takes a humble young friend, Harriet, under her wing, determined to arrange a brilliant marriage for her. Only Mr. Knightley, an old family friend with a clear eye and no fear of telling Emma the truth, suspects her well-meant scheming will end in trouble. Austen's witty 1815 comedy follows a young woman convinced she understands everyone but herself.