Books
A man would always wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from; and he who can do it, where there is no doubt of her regard, must, I think, be the happiest of mortals.
— Jane Austen · Emma
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker holds that a man naturally wants to offer a wife a home better than the one she leaves. If he can do so while certain of her affection, the speaker thinks he must be about the happiest of people, since comfort and love arrive together.
Context reviewed