I think it was entirely accepted as part of social codes of the times. No asperions on one's character. It was an honour thing, much like it has been throughout history. (Live by the sword, die by the sword.)
I found this page, which I found interesting. http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=4522
I think Onegin's outcast status was more to do with his remorse, he withdrew from society, rather than it retreating away from him. I am pretty sure a dueling history was no impediment to achieving or retaining status. Unless you were a serial dueler, in which case, perhaps!
To just echo some comments above, I too found Osipova's interpretation particularly powerful yesterday afternoon. If I could, I'd definitely go again. It wasn't quite the "five star, footstomping, wild cries" reaction from our audience as the Guardian review night had experienced, but we still applauded heartily indeed