I'm using your post to reply Amy, but not aiming a rebuttal at it particularly, but as a general reply to a few points. Firstly, my opening post was quite specific (I think) in what I was asking (the reason suggested by Peter's suggestion of a variation on P&P's canon) as to whether Lizzie and Darcy were a good match ( in retrospect I could have made the title matches instead of catches.....but hey-ho) for any other reason than they were made hero and heroine of Jane Austen's tale. Accepting that we all love it just as it is, fanfic surely only exists to display personal thoughts, words and deeds without damaging canon in any way. Not particularly a financial question, although that was highly relevant by tradition...So.....
Mrs Bennet set the standards for the story focus by announcing a suitable target for marriage had arrived on the scene, not, note, a suitable man for one of her daughters to find love with, but somebody rich enough to be of interest. Details of his bank balance outweighed his appearance by some Five thousand reasons. This has to be a firm indication of criteria, money, not love or even titles mattering to her. Twice-as-rich Darcy also had a bullseye painted on his back until he indicated he was not on the same planet as the Bennets. The Lucas family were delighted by Charlotte landing a money fish in Mr Collins, for who would ever associate William with romance, but a decent salary and the Longbourne estate to come? Lizzie found Colonel Fitzwilliam a pleasant companion that interested her as a person but, like Wickham, didn't have the wallet to support the connection. There then has to be a certain suitablity in any match for it to even have a chance of fruition, neither of just love/romance or financial viability. In answer to Mr Bennet, Mrs B claims Bingley "may" fall in love with one of the daughters, but marriage is her first priority regardless. ( The relationship would bring the rest of her daughters into contact with other "rich" men) Mr Collins was almost correct in informing Lizzie she may not get another offer, although his remark was brought about by injury to his ego rather than knowlege. Living in the Meryton area, even with a regiment of militia in attendance, was hardly social high life as even the officers would hardly be in a position to qualify as security in marriage targets and a small market town would hardly be a centre of commerce.
What, for instance, if the Reverend Collins had been decent looking, in possession of some intelligence and manners and had waited a small while to get to know the family before dashing in with his proposal to make him the "happiest of men"?..He would fit the criteria of other Austen male husband material, so would Lizzie have turned him down? Would even Jane have turned him down if the Bingleys had arrived a few months later? Charlotte Lucas didn't hesitate to take up his offer regardless of all else. Whilst the opposition for Darcy was very limited, I have to wonder just how particular Lizzie would have been if only....?
Darcy's case was finally won by an act of his being able to drop all else, dash off to London and save the day (regardless of cost, because he must have spent a considerable sum) and Lizzie inadvertantly finding this out. A decided advantage over any farmer Giles, Doctor Jones or even a suitable male member of the Meryton four and twenty diners club. We are not told whether the Longbourne entailment was common knowlege, but I'd assume it was for there are few secrets in villages, and this alone would deter any would be fortune hunting locals. If we look at things pre-Bingley, the Bennet girls prospects were anything but rosy. Little wonder really that Mrs B was somewhat frantic. I'm betting Mr Gardiner had a few sleeples night also. Darcy turned out to be the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle in every respect....
