part in the book.

I liked it in the adaptation as well.

Condescending, according to the dictionary means 'to think you are cleverer than the other', which as you have pointed out is not the case.

And this is also another example of Henry expecting Catherine to judge for herself.

NO, no, no.
Henry is *not* condescending ;-)

There have been several posts from the first week of the GR showing how Henry and Catherine react to each other.
Catherine is seen to have stood her ground on several occasions and Henry has treated her as a rational being.

I think that *teasing* anyone about anything makes it seem like condescension.

In the same conversation Henry says of Catherine;
“You are a very close questioner.”

He is not feeling cleverer here as he should if he is condescending.