Jane Austen's Emma for Teens

The event had every promise of happiness for her friend. Mr. Weston was a man of exceptional character, comfortable fortune, suitable age and pleasant manners. There was some satisfaction in considering with what self-denying, generous friendship she had always wished and promoted the match. But the absence of Miss Taylor would be felt every hour of every day. She recalled her past kindness – the kindness, the affection of sixteen years – how she had taught and how she had played with her from five years old – how she had devoted all her powers to entertain her – and how she had cared for her through the various illnesses of childhood. A large debt of gratitude was owing here; but their relationship during the last seven years, with its equal footing and perfect openness which had soon followed Isabella's marriage on their being left to each other, was yet a dearer, tenderer recollection. Miss Taylor had been a friend and companion such as few possessed: intelligent, well-informed, useful, gentle. Miss Taylor was particularly interested in Emma herself; in every pleasure, every scheme of hers. Emma could speak every thought to her as it arose, and Miss Taylor had such an affection for her that she never found fault.