In Ch. 31 Col Brandon said he told the world Eliza was a distant relation. It seems natural to me Eliza was introduced to the world as such but I agree gossip about her being his natural daughter might have been known. I cannot guess to what degree.

I agree in JA’s books Christian morality rules the majority of characters which is why I questioned a blanket code of ethics which men like Col Brandon, Edward Ferrars, Sir John and Mr. Palmer would certainly object to. Most of the characters in JA are not aristocrats or high society and do not adhere to such a code but interestingly I think the Crawfords in MP lived in a higher society in London and Willoughby, who lives beyond his means, do appear to behave according to ethics that objectify women as fair-game because of their status. Yet regardless of what they might do themselves I cannot envision them considering their wives fair-game for the sexual advances of other men under any circumstances. Henry Crawford obviously did not; he very determinedly desired a wife he knew would never betray him in any way but this just highlights the hypocritical nature (as others have already pointed out) of the society with regards to the sexes. (:D)