A Watched Woman

In Chapter 51 of Far From The Madding Crowd, Bathsheba says to Gabriel Oak:

"Some rash acts of my past life have taught me that a watched woman must have very much circumspection to retain a very little credit." 

A Watched Woman means a woman whose conduct is constantly observed, judged, and discussed by neighbours and well wishers. 

In the social world of Victorian England, especially in small village community (Weatherbury), a widow or a woman living without a husband was was under close public scrutiny. 
Every visit, rumour, or conversation could become the subject of gossip. 
A woman's reputation (credit) was considered fragile.  Even innocent actions could be interpreted unfavorably. 

Bathsheba has learned this through painful experience:

Her playful valentine to Boldwood had led to his obsessive love. Her impulsive marriage to Sergeant Troy became public knowledge and ended in misery.  Now, if she appears to encourage Boldwood, while Troy's death is not confirmed people might condemn her any outrageous conduct. 

The sentance reveals Bathsheba's maturity.  Earlier, she acted impulsively; now she understands that fair or unfair society judges women much more harshly than men. Hardy is subtly criticising this unequal standard. 

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