Concern for Lydia

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Concern for Lydia Written by Kathi (6/18/2007 3:35 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Don't think the only care was for reputation, penned by Tracy W

Perhaps Mr. Bennet doesn't want to be connected to such a man. If it's an indication that he has concern for Lydia, it's virtually the only one, and pretty indirect at that.

On the other hand, there is the statement in the same chapter that Mr. Bennet's "chief wish at present was to have as little trouble in the business as possible" (emphasis mine). If he had the least concern for Lydia herself, one would think that his chief wish would be that if she couldn't be happy with Wickham, at least she wouldn't be too unhappy, rather than that he be inconvenienced as little as possible. Mr. Bennet being Mr. Bennet, of course, we can't expect that he wouldn't have some desire to avoid being put to trouble himself, but his chief wish?

It's a little difficult to tell, but the statement about Mr. Bennet's anger I take to be Mrs. Bennet's interpretation of his motives. ("That [Mr. Bennet's] anger could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment as to refuse his daughter a privilege ... exceeded all that [Mrs. Bennet] could believe possible.") The timeline is a little unclear, but it seems like this takes place after we are told that the transports of rage have subsided.

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Quote Chapter 49 Carolyn (6/14/2007 12:22 a.m.)

"How am I ever to repay him?" Line (6/14/2007 8:49 p.m.)
- Bennet v Gardiner financial security Susan L (6/14/2007 11:00 p.m.)
  - I should have said "debt of gratitude" Line (6/15/2007 8:05 a.m.)
    - Does Mr Gardiner want to be a gentleman of leisure? Tracy W (6/17/2007 7:30 a.m.)
      - I only deduced this... Line (6/17/2007 7:58 p.m.)
Mr. Bennet’s feelings after the elopement (long) Robbin (6/14/2007 12:31 p.m.)
- Mr Bennet did charge off to London in search of Lydia Tracy W (6/15/2007 12:53 a.m.)
  - Yes, but it wasn't concern... Kathi (6/15/2007 7:14 p.m.)
    - Is anger entirely separate from concern? Tracy W (6/17/2007 6:57 a.m.)
      - No, of course not -- in fact, ...   Kathi (6/17/2007 8:41 p.m.)
        
        Don't think the only care was for reputation   Tracy W (6/18/2007 2:22 a.m.)
        
        Concern for Lydia   Kathi (6/18/2007 3:35 a.m.)
        
        Time to end this discussion (nfm)   Myretta (6/18/2007 5:38 a.m.)
Mr Bennet's state of mind Susan L (6/14/2007 2:14 a.m.)
- No esteem, little affection Marie C (6/15/2007 10:35 a.m.)

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