I guess, that Anne and Lady Russell has the J Austenīs opinion, and is a moral rule, nowdays many people has forgotten, but is very important, and show us how level of liability, front her father and sister, ( Anne) or neighbor with her behaviiour is inacceptable.

page 11. " .. the person who has cvontracted debts must pay them, and though a great deal is due to the feelings of the gentleman and the head of a house, like your father there is still more due to the character of an honest man".