It's interesting what you say about JA "keeping up appearances", Kelley, because I feel just the opposite. IMO, if you look at most 18th- and 19th-century novels, especially the ones that were considered "suitable" reading for young women, they were just full of the most unsubtle preaching and moralizing, as well as depicting characters and situations that seem quite unrealistic to me. During our recent GR of "The Vicar of Wakefield" I was startled to find that one whole chapter is simply a straightforward sermon! (I must admit that I was rather disappointed in VoW!).