This is such an interesting scene to me.
Emily is right: she is held to different standards and is used to be treated as such.
But Laurence is also right: if he must be expected to act as both an officer and a gentleman, than so must she accept being an officer and a gentlewoman.
If people are going to approach her and try to take advantage of her, then having someone there to put them off is not a bad thing. Especially because Emily is still a child and there very well could be a moment where she is not capable of fully defending herself.
As for Demane, he obviously means well, but Laurence is right here too: Emily does not want Demane to be her chaperone nor supervisor. She does not acknowledge him in that capacity. And to put Demane in that position will only make things more difficult between them and strain whatever camaraderie they will need as the next generation of officers.
It's a great scene for showing political stations and motivations mixed with cultural expectations and the tragedy of growing up.
