Mr. Bennet’s wit, cleverness and other personable abilities can easily disguise his neglect and selfishness. It is a good picture of a likeable person who is not so completely likeable underneath. I would like see Mr. Bennet behaving as he does with Lizzy in Ch. 59 more often but I wonder if Lizzy is the only person in his life that inspires such moments. He values Jane but while I think his pleasure and congratulations on her engagement are genuine it does not seem as heartfelt, perhaps because he does not feel Jane is in danger from her acceptance of Bingley?

Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it, till their visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was gone, he turned to his daughter and said –

"Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman."

Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his goodness.

"You are a good girl," he replied, "and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income." (55)