Beautiful, spoilt and irrepressibly witty, Emma Woodhouse enjoys a position of power and privilege in the small country town of Highbury. Lacking neither fortune nor consequence, Emma sees no attraction in marriage, preferring instead to exercise her considerable intelligence match-making between her friends and acquaintances. The arrival of sweet, silly Harriet Smith gives her the perfect opportunity to embark upon further schemes, greatly trying the patience of her old friend Mr Knightley.