] That all depends on what you expect from a guardian. She's no more silly (and much less ill-mannered) than - say - Mrs. Bennet.

Well, Mrs. Bennet is no Good Parent Poster Model herself! ;-) (but that's a topic for another board...)

] I thought about this...but then I remembered that the Allens are good neighbors to the Morlands, and they come from a place with fairly limited company. The Morlands are simple people, and I'm sure that knowing the Allens to be honest, decent people was all the assurance they needed.

I think the Morlands gave Catherine good principles and values, and then left her to follow them. I'm not criticizing them for it, but it does put Catherine in a awkward position or two. But then, that is part of the growing up process, isn't it?

] Really? I didn't see it this way. I saw Catherine work things out for herself both in and outside of Mrs. Allen's influence. I'm not sure that I'm prepared to give the silly ol' matron quite so much credit. *grin*

Yes, but while Catherine always wondered if, for example, going out in a gig with John Thorpe was a Good Thing, when Mrs. Allen said it was ok, Catherine abandoned her doubts and went. (Of course there was that lure of Blaize Castle... ;-)