Final answer:
The character Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' said the quote about Mr. Wickham's capacity to make and retain friends.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote "Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends-- whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain." is said by the character Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. This line reflects Elizabeth's astute observations and the undertone of skepticism about Mr. Wickham's character, which precedes the later revelations of his true nature in the novel. This quote does not directly appear in any of the provided passages, indicating that it is not based on one of them, but rather serves as a separate inquiry into the origins of that specific line from Austen's celebrated work.