“What has it been but a system of hypocrisy and deceit, – espionage, and treachery? – To come among us with professions of openness and simplicity; and such a league in secret to judge us all! – Here have we been, the whole winter and spring, completely duped, fancying ourselves all on an equal footing of truth and honour, with two people in the midst of us who may have been carrying round, comparing and sitting in judgment on sentiments and words that were never meant for both to hear.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 46. In a conversation with Mr. Weston, Emma expresses outrage at his son Frank’s behavior with his secret engagement to Jane. Believing the way they went about things was “abominable,” she is upset by the deceit. She feels that truth and honour are important in a community and the concealment was an abuse of those values.