I am sorry, but I cannot see how it is that what Caroline did was so much worse than what Darcy did, especially seeing as, once Darcy and the sisters had teamed up, it was Darcy who was the driving force in dissuading Bingley from pursuing Jane or even returning to Hertfordshire. Moreover, Darcy and Caroline both kept Jane's presence in London from Bingley, even if it was only Caroline who actually met with her. You claim that it is the different intention that makes Caroline's action worse than Darcy's, but actually, their intentions are similar. They both dislike Jane's origins and connections, think that Bingley could do better and don't want him to associate with the Bennets. They also both think that they are acting in the best of Bingley's interest.
I do not want to absolve Caroline from any guilt (even though it is well known I'm fond of her, and I won't deny that) - what she did was presumptuous, mean-spirited and wrong. However, I want to posit that I don't believe Caroline was the driving force in the separation of Bingley and Jane, or at least, not the sole driving force. I think that Darcy and Caroline had equal parts in it at least. Considering though that Darcy as the elder, and moreover, as a male friend, was probably one to whom Bingley listened much more than to his sister, and that Caroline frequently sought out Darcy's opinion, whereas we do not know if Darcy ever actively sought out Caroline's, I think it is not unreasonable to assume that even though Caroline was very much d'accord with the plan, Darcy did most of the actual persuading and breaking up work.
As I said, I'm well aware that I am very much prejudiced in favour of Caroline, so you'll probably disagree with me, but I believe that if Darcy is able to find forgiveness for what he did, then Caroline, as one who mainly followed his lead, must deserve the same.
I do not want to absolve Caroline from any guilt (even though it is well known I'm fond of her, and I won't deny that) - what she did was presumptuous, mean-spirited and wrong. However, I want to posit that I don't believe Caroline was the driving force in the separation of Bingley and Jane, or at least, not the sole driving force. I think that Darcy and Caroline had equal parts in it at least. Considering though that Darcy as the elder, and moreover, as a male friend, was probably one to whom Bingley listened much more than to his sister, and that Caroline frequently sought out Darcy's opinion, whereas we do not know if Darcy ever actively sought out Caroline's, I think it is not unreasonable to assume that even though Caroline was very much d'accord with the plan, Darcy did most of the actual persuading and breaking up work.
As I said, I'm well aware that I am very much prejudiced in favour of Caroline, so you'll probably disagree with me, but I believe that if Darcy is able to find forgiveness for what he did, then Caroline, as one who mainly followed his lead, must deserve the same.