Barnabas' confidence quickly turned into alarm as his wife's mother advanced on her. What was one supposed to do in this situation? Did he step in front of his wife and insult her by thinking she couldn't handle her own, or did he let her mother assault her? Had Barnabas not been on love potion, he likely would have just bowed out of the situation and closed the door quietly behind him. Amortentia-Barnabas was much more chivalrous and hobbled forward so that he was just slightly in front of Maeve. Their shoulders brushed as he said firmly, "Mrs. Connolly, there's no need to resort to hysterics."