The Allens were rich and childless and Mrs Allen was fond of Miss Morland, who at 17 had just reached the age when she might be introduced into a greater society. But I think Catherine's parents would also have the means, although they might not be in a hurry to do so; the Morlands were not rich but they were not poor either -- they were comfortably off. Mrs Thorpe was a widow with little money, yet she could bring her daughters to Bath, it was not an expensive society. The first chapter says that Catherine's father had "a considerable independence besides two good livings" -- i.e. he had an independent income from some money as well as the income from two good livings. Also, I think Mr Allen as the squire and Mr Morland as the rector would be quite close to each other in the parish business etc. -- the squire would be the first gentleman in the neighbourhood while the rector could be the second gentleman.