The suggestion of him wanting her as his guest instead makes him laugh. It's a shaky, anger-ridden laugh, mixed with a sigh. The kind of sound that suggests he can't quite believe Nancy has that and it's really bothering him.

So as soon as she starts explaining what upset her, he is far from sympathetic.

"What would you have rather I said, Nancy? Harlot? Strumpet? The girl who's been fucked by most of the people in this room? Or would you have rathered the girl so cheap she'll give herself away as "a show of good will"?