Thanks, Nancy Ann! I used to feel the same way you do about gossip and gossip-mongers, but I have a somewhat more positive attitude now. I believe there have actually been scientific studies done showing that the most interesting thing to human beings is other human beings - that we're just built that way! As you say, gossip IS the life of many of these characters, and we shouldn't forget how limited their entertainment options were, either. It *is* hard when you're the subject of gossip yourself, especially since, as P&P shows, gossip turns out to be accurate more often than not! (This is something I want to get back to near the end of the GR.)