[Only in the sense that he thinks it lowers the overall impression of a noble family; he's no Lower Class Rights advocate. Still he gives a slightly abashed smile, as if embarrassed to be called out on it.]
I'm certain a lady showing such concern for her servants is held in high esteem by the staff. [Which sounds like flattery, but his hope is that she'll take it as a roundabout way of saying "thank you for taking my side".]