The most significant relationship among the five Bennet sisters is between Jane and Elizabeth, the oldest and next oldest, respectively. Jane's beauty and charms are somewhat affected by her shy and quiet demeanor; and the outspoken and confident Elizabeth is rather protective of her for this reason. When Jane's courtship with Bingley is put on hold, and Elizabeth witnesses Jane's disappointment and sadness, Elizabeth defends her sister's shyness to Darcy, who is Bingley's close friend.
The middle sisters Mary and Katherine (Kitty) are not close enough to marrying age to be a focal point for the meddling Mrs. Bennet (who nevertheless wishes to see all of her daughters married as soon as possible), but their character flaws do affect their marriage prospects. Mary is bookish and has many talents, but, as Austen describes her, has "a pedantic air and a conceited manner." Kitty is rather naive and lacks the intelligence of her older sisters, and is prone to follow the lead of Lydia, the youngest. Lydia is somewhat precocious, being tall and attractive, and is prone to speaking and behaving recklessly. She is also flirtatious, and despite her youth, it is not terribly surprising when she runs off with Wickham. Lydia's older sisters are horrified by her behavior, as it damages not only Lydia's reputation but that of their entire family, and are annoyed when Lydia puts on airs about being a "married woman" so soon after her elopement with Wickham threatens to destroy the family's social standing.
It is Darcy who rescues the situation, and he does so out of respect for Jane and love for Elizabeth; he pays Wickham's debts and also pays for a legitimate wedding for the couple so that they are not living in disgrace. We learn that Darcy has great fondness for his own younger sister, and it is his role as her protector that leads him to show such kindness to the Bennet sisters, who are lacking a brotherly figure to lean upon.
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