Mr. Weston's Second Chance at Love — Emma

The story steps back to explain Mr. Weston's life. He was a cheerful soldier with a small income. He married proud Miss Churchill against her family's wishes. The marriage was unhappy. She missed the luxury of her rich home. They spent more than they had. When she died after three years, Weston was poorer. Her family took their son Frank to raise as Frank Churchill.

Weston left the army and went into trade through his brothers in London. For nearly twenty years he worked until he could buy a comfortable house called Randalls. His second marriage to Miss Taylor is happy in a way the first never was. The narrator says Weston now knows how much better it is to choose a partner than to be chosen by one.

Everyone in Highbury talks about Frank Churchill, though he has never visited. After the wedding he writes a handsome letter to his new stepmother but still stays away in person. Mrs. Weston is gratefully happy. Emma is surprised that her father still pities poor Miss Taylor at every leave-taking. Mr. Woodhouse slowly recovers once neighbors stop congratulating him, but wedding cake worries him until Mr. Perry says small amounts might be safe and every slice is finally eaten.