Narcissa’s anguish affects Snape as nothing else has. His defenses are so perfected that Bellatrix’s attacks are child’s play to him, but empathy for a protective mother undoes him. He must avoid speech and eye contact with Narcissa while he figures out what he can offer without jeopardizing his plans: “Snape said nothing. He looked away from the sight of her tears as though they were indecent, but he could not pretend not to hear her.” (HP/HBP, 33)
