] ] Through an acquaintance with Mrs. Smith, she could go alone with Willoughby or without an acquaintance she could go when Mrs. Smith was out if there was a chaperone.

] I think this is correct. People frequently went to view the estates of wealthy individuals whom they did not know, but generally went when the person was not in residence,

You raise Darcy and Elizabeth as an example and it made me think of another visit Lizzie received which was from Lady Catherine - where she says that Lady Catherine's visit to Longbourne would appear to the public more like a confirmation of matrimony, than her desire to have it 'universally contradicted'.