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.
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 of sisters. Even before Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office of
governess, the mildness of her temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint; and the
shadow of authority being now long passed away, they had been living together as friend and
friend very mutually attached, and Emma doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss
Taylor's judgment, but directed chiefly by her own.
The real evils indeed of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much
her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages
which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. The danger, however, was at present so
unperceived, that they 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-day of this beloved friend that Emma first sat in mournful thought of any
continuance. The wedding over and the bride-people gone, her father and herself were left to
dine together, with no prospect of a third to cheer a long evening. Her father composed himself
to sleep after dinner, as usual, and she had then only to sit and think of what she had lost.
What does it mean about Miss Taylor that " the mildness of her temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint"?
A. Miss Taylor believed rule were important for children
B. Miss taylor's gentle nature prevented her from making a lot of rules for emma
C. miss Taylor was easily angered and often argued with Emma
D. miss Taylor did not have an interesting personality
