] although Colonel Fitzwilliam seems interested in Elizabeth, he makes it clear to her that he is not courting her, by explaining that he basically cannot afford to get married on a Colonel's salary, and intended to remain single.

He does not say he intends to remain single, he states that he must marry with "attention to money"

I don't believe that it is a matter of his not making enough money to support a wife, but that his lifestyle is more extravagant that his pay (and whatever money he gets from his father, I imagine there is some support there) could not support a whole family.

I quote the conversation below,

(C.F.)
A younger son, you know, must be inured to self-denial and dependence.''

(E)
``In my opinion, the younger son of an Earl can know very little of either. Now, seriously, what have you ever known of self-denial and dependence? When have you been prevented by want of money from going wherever you chose, or procuring any thing you had a fancy for?''

(C.F)
``These are home questions -- and perhaps I cannot say that I have experienced many hardships of that nature. But in matters of greater weight, I may suffer from the want of money. Younger sons cannot marry where they like.''

(E)
``Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very often do.''

(C.F.)
``Our habits of expence make us too dependant, and there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to money.''

I have always thought with Darcy married, he would be a front-runner for Anne DeBourgh