In Jane Austen’s book Emma, she mentions the following riddle (Chapter IX):
My first doth affliction denote,
Which my second is destin’d to feel
And my whole is the best antidote
That affliction to soften and heal.–
The answer to the riddle isn’t given. I’ve tried to guess the answer, but can’t think of anything. Help!
P.S. The text of the novel can be found here.
http://promo.net/pg/query.html
Jacques Kilchoer
Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
Warning! Possible spoiler below!
… But only if I’m right …
I think they answer is [whisper] love. Your first love is an affliction, but the wholeness of love heals it. Of course, I’m probably wrong, since I don’t know why your second love would feel your first. Too badski.
How about bleeding-heart?
Bleeding is the affliction.
Heart is the second that feels.
Together they name a flower -
These riddles are made up by heels!
Thank you Boris and aseymayo, but I don’t think those answers are what the author of the riddle have in mind. Here’s the best answer I’ve come up with so far (after thinking about it again 
leak, because tears are a leak from your eyes.
coeur, the french word for heart.
leak-coeur, or liquor. When you’re unhappy, the answer is to get drunk!
Somehow that doesn’t seem like a Jane Austen sentiment though.
Jacques Kilchoer
Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
No Jacques, it doesn’t, but hey - it works for me!
Okay, I guess I understand the riddle better now. My best guess is a brand name of a line of prepared foods … Hungry Man.
Here’s the real answer, courtesy of the Jane Austen Info Page. (But I warn you, you’re not gonna like it.)
I like it! Do you think I could get a doctor’s prescription for this affliction?
Thank you, FP.
(The sound you hear is me striking my forehead with my palm.)
I can’t believe it was so obvious and I missed it!
Jacques Kilchoer
Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
Strangers have the best candy.