Over and over in the GR I have had the exact opposite emotion from someone else on reading the same quote. Usually, it is that I feel the person in question is not quite attentive enough to Anne. And that the person I disagree with has the feeling that they really do care despite being quite distracted.

I agree Ceryl, I see this as a dig at LR. She is all up in Anne's business at Kellynch Lodge, doing what she thinks is protecting her from an awkward reunion with FW but when it comes to Anne's real trial, dealing with her family in Bath, Anne is pretty much on her own.

I don't necessarily think it's Lady Russell's fault either. She's doing what she sees as right and proper. I think what the narrator is saying is that Anne doesn't really need that kind of protection, that she can look after herself.