"At the expense of others? If it were just a compliment then I would not have said anything, but you tried to use Beatrix. How do I know? Simple: the look in your eyes tell tales. She is a beautiful woman, strong and incredibly intelligent, but the fact isn't whether you're her uncle and you can compliment her as you see fit or not. It is that you had other intentions that weren't just complimenting your niece." She rolled her eyes at how high and mighty the man made himself seem. 

It was truly ridiculous that he presented himself in a way that made it seem everyone was lower than him. He may be older than her, but he did not seem wiser than a five year old with his little stunt.