Yes, it seems strange that compared to the Bingleys and Darcy, the Bennets were definitely well lower down the scale. The poor old Bennets didn't have family money behind them, their lifestyle was precarious as the estate was entailed and they were only living well while Mr Bennet survived. Once he died, the house and estate would pass to Mr Collins, and who would be mug enough to take Mrs Bennet (and her nerves) into their house - her poor brother and his wife, the Gardners, would have been lumbered with supporting her. What a thought.