Emma's a snob but her closest friend is a governess who she marries to a man of the army who is now in trade - his family are not gentry. Are there no people of "appropriate" rank around? She's an interesting contradiction.

Could this be considered a visit of charity? Anne surely views it as a visit of friendship. But charitable visits were acceptable, in theory it should have been acceptable to her family (if they were themselves "acceptable").

Imagine Elizabeth having to make way for the former Mrs Clay! As we learn later she and Sir Walter don't enjoy sucking up when no one is sucking up to them in turn

Again, showing his true feelings but he's too polite to respond to Mary's snobbery

All Baronets were "created", either bought or gifted by the crown. Mary wants Sir Walter to remain superior because he's more "established"

Sir Walter bases peoples worth on their lineage, not their actions or character - he mocks Lord St Ives for his father being a poor curate like this somehow makes him less of a person. Titles aren't worth anything to him if they are earned. Which is funny because Baronet is a title that could be bought or "earned" (gifted for performing some duty for royalty), it is the lowest ranked title that can be inherited. For all his airs Sir Walter isn't even part of the nobility.