By your account, he does seem to have had some scruples.

It is a pity that they were ever got over." "Not Harriet's equal!" exclaimed Mr.Knightley loudly and warmly; and with calmer asperity, added, a few moments afterwards, "No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation.

Emma, your infatuation about that girl blinds you.

What are Harriet Smith's claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connexion higher than Robert Martin?
She is the natural daughter of nobody knows whom, with probably no settled provision at all, and certainly no respectable relations.

She is known only as parlour-boarder at a common school.