I can accept that Bingley's behaviour reflects his modesty and perhaps his lack of confidence. I also accept that darcy was within his rights as a friend to caution against the marriage although I susoect that he may have exceeded his rights by being too forcible in his representations. Nonetheless, I am surprised that JA did not feel that Bingley's action's were reprehensible in the degree to which he paid his attentions. One might argue, in the contect of the times that existed, that his honour had been engaged by the marked degree of his attentions since they had led to a universal expectation of an agreement with jane.
However, as I mentioned elsewhere, I believe that Mr. Bennet is deserving of the greatest censure. No father should have allowed such attentions to be paid without requiring a commitment from the gentleman concerned. Since he was at the ball, he would have been well within his rights, at that point, to insist that Bingley call on him the next morning to declare himself. It is however simply another facet of his character that is consistent with his overall negligence. Just as he could and should have prevented Mr. Collins making an offer to Elizabeth. he should have acted top protect Jane.
