She had also observed her sister more (she didn't have the option of retreating to her library), and she had a letter from someone who mentioned disapproval of the behavior of her family. Elizabeth would not have so acute the consciousness of disapproval of her family without Darcy's letter. That's partly why I suggested in a gesting way that had Mr. Bennet known the contents of Darcy's letter, he might have thought differently. Society was too polite back then for frank advice between neighbors. The scenerio of having a youngest daughter of 15 boy-crazy to distraction, then have a married friend of hers that campful of soldiers leave the area was uncharted territory it seemed. Mr. Bennet did not err on the side of caution in his decision, but it's not out of his character for that to happen. The fact that all 5 girls are out at the same time is not good for the family, but that's not out of character with these parents. The fact that they didn't have (a) governess at all was not good for the family, but that's not out of character with these parents. (Now that I think about it, Lady Catherine had a lot of good points! It's amazing that Jane and Elizabeth have turned out as well as they have!) But I expect we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. :)