…and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas. Her report was highly favourable. Sir William had been delighted with him. (Chapter 3)

Kathi your explanation does make sense to me. (:D) A cleverer woman would not enjoy such a companion as Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet would not enjoy a cleverer companion. Margaret S is right though, even before the phrase in question arose from Chapter 5, Lady Lucas proved herself a valuable neighbor aside from the companionship view point by providing intelligence of Bingley when Mr. Bennet remained capriciously silent on the subject in Chapter 3. ;D