In one sense, I think Charlotte does respect rank for its own sake more than Elizabeth does. She is very practical-minded, and one for planning ahead, as we have seen. On the other hand, I don't believe she thinks superior rank = superior person, as her husband and father seem to do. I don't think the two examples you cite necessarily show her toadying excessively to rank.

1) IMO, Lady Catherine is a champion conversation-hogger - to the point where it's very hard for any listener to interrupt long enough to speak to someone else. You know the type - you nod and smile, and during the few seconds that you take a breath to utter a longer sentence, she's off again, making *you* feel rude for interrupting, or if you turn your head to speak to someone else, you've missed part of what the C.H. was saying! I don't think Charlotte is deliberately leaving Elizabeth hanging for Lady C's sake.