I'm trying to focus on letters in the story, what they reveal about their writers & and how they help to move the plot forward. The first letter we encounter is that from chapter 7 from Caroline Bingley inviting Jane, whom she addresses as "My dear Friend", to visit, and save herself and Louisa from each other's company. She may reveal an unflattering opinion of women: "we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's tete-tete between two women can never end without a quarrel" She feels perfectly free to command Jane to "Come as soon as you can on the receipt of this." I read this as implying that Jane has nothing better to do.

Why does she find it necessary to say that "My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers."? Is it to put Jane at her ease knowing that it will only be "ladies time", or is it evidence that she is only interested in seeing her "dear Friend" when no more interesting company is in supply, and especially in the absence of her endangered brother?