This has always bothered me tremendously. Her poor children! Her poor parents! I hate to think of the shame and humiliation her entire family will have to deal with, if her situation is publicly known, which it apparently is. I don't know how else the Elliots would've found out about it - I don't think Mrs. C would've written Elizabeth, "Hey, I'm shacking up with your cousin, so send my things to his place, thx, bye!)

Even if Sir Walter doesn't fire Mr. Shepherd, the public shame could still affect him professionally.