The passage speaks to the hypocrisy of the English middle class, highlighting their readiness to judge others while often being equally flawed themselves. Mrs. Villiers is depicted as a character who lacks discretion and is willing to gossip freely, suggesting that her own failings could make her a target of criticism. Instead of self-reflection, she thrives on spreading rumors, exhibiting the very moral shortcomings she condemns in others.
This behavior illustrates...