David Shapard in his annotation to Chapter 53's "Mrs. Bennet was forced to submit to a separation which, as her husband by no means entered into her scheme of their all going to Newcastle, was likely to continue at least a twelvemonth." makes the good point that, since Mr Bennet could not be persuaded to go to the much nearer Brighton, it is hardly surprising he will not go to Newcastle, and that is before his likely disinclination to see much of Mr and Mrs Wickham is taken into consideration.

To me this says something else too. This time Mr Bennet refrains from winding up his wife by giving vague and equivocal answers to her suggestions, as he did with her plans to go to Brighton. He must have given a clear and definite negative. It's not like him to forego an opportunity to tease Mrs Bennet, and is perhaps a sign that he is already beginning to think of how he is to repay (as he thinks) Mr Gardiner. A journey to Newcastle for a man, five women and their attendants would be far from cheap.