"I admire the activity of your benevolence," observed Mary, "but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required." (Chapter 7)

I take it Mary does not believe visiting Jane is a worth a three mile trek to Netherfield but to be fair in the chapters this week I do not see Mary walking with her sisters. I cannot find it mentioned specifically although she might walk to Meryton, as related in Chapter 7—to pay her duty to their aunt and to a milliner’s shop. These pursuits however seem to be of a kind which would hardly tempt her and I cannot see her setting off the three or four times a week that is attributed to Kitty and Lydia. Mary is not the only person to question Lizzy’s decision to brave the dirty day. Mrs. Bennet does also, although she is only concerned about how Lizzy will look upon arrival. The Superior Sisters find it “an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum.” Darcy is content to only “doubt as to the occasion’s justifying her coming so far alone.” Mary and Darcy are aligned in questioning the justification of the walk but can see the real reason behind it but what are their concerns really about? Is expending more effort than is merited undignified, not acting with appropriate pride? Darcy would not wish his sister make such an exhibition! You will see why I ponder this monetarily. Mrs. Bennet and the SS relate or attribute the walk to pride. Mrs. Bennet worries Lizzy will not be fit to be seen; how the folks at Netherfield will view her daughter and she is right that it will be noticed. Lizzy of course responds that she does not care how she looks for whatever her appearance it will be good enough for Jane. A momentary lack of pride on Lizzy’s part but I think letting her gown down to hide her petticoat attests she was not completely deficient. Caroline, and I am sure Louisa agrees her, tributes the walk to an unflattering selfish pride in Lizzy; it is amusing that she cannot conceive of another motive. I think Caroline attributes motivations to Lizzy which are a reflection of why she might embark on a cross-country hike but I do not think Louisa would be the object of such devotion. :D