omrade [kindred] spirit. It is his prudent judgement and flexibility which temper his inclination to corn and criticize, such that he is able to recognize in Elizabeth a worthy wife and companion, despite her social standing [never so much of an obstacle as the family's behaviour] and Lydia's elopment. Therefore, we must credit his prudent judgement for his remarkable change in opinion, which paves the way for his future happiness with Elizabeth.Unfortunately, Elizabeth displays little of her prudent judgement and astute assessment with regard to Darcy. It is for this singular reason that her relationship with Darcy is fraught with difficulty. After her first meeting with Darcy, Elizabeth determinedly preserves her prejudice against Darcy, even after repeated incidents which attest to his credibility of character, displaying uncharacteristic lack of intelligent and careful judgement.When Elizabeth meets Wickham, she is immediately won over by his appearance and suave charm, and is whole-heartedly inclined to believe his every word, simply because his "very countenance may vouch for [his] being amiable", and "there was truth in his looks". This rash inclination results in her being even more convinced of Darcy's unworthiness of character. In spite of the fact that Wickham sullies Darcy's family in front of a comparative stranger, after declaring himself "determined to honour the late Mr. Darcy's reputation, and that he purposely avoids Darcy at the Netherfield ball, after stating staunchly that he is not afraid of meeting Darcy, and would fear no confrontation with him, Elizabeth sees no reason to doubt him. Her brash inclinations to Wickham justify his merrcenary pursuit of Mary King, even as she condemns Bingley for abandoning Jane for the socially advantageous Georgina Darcy. She discredits Bingley's opinion of Darcy and Miss Bingley's warning against Wickham, and refuses to temper her first impressions with any objectivity, even ...
