To me, it does not sound so terribly shocking that society would believe death preferrable to loss of virginity (on the part of a lady, anyway). From a religious (Anglican) perspective, Lydia had committed a serious sin. I think what is shocking is that there was apparently no possibile rehabilitation. Mr. Collins urges that Lydia be cast off before even ascertaining the current state of her thoughts and desires. I realize that society was trying to discourage such lapses from happening in the first place. I can understand the perceived need to cast off someone who was continuing to live in sin. But what if Lydia were to come home humbled, repentant, and grieved? Was there to be no different treatment of her than if she had ended up on the streets? This hardly seems Christian. How could there be any hope for repentance if the punishment were the same for the former and continuing sinner?