Final answer:
The phrase 'made her smile in spite of herself' usually indicates involuntary amusement in a character, suggesting surprise, charm, or a change of emotion within an unexpected context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “made her smile in spite of herself” in the passage often highlights a moment of involuntary amusement or happiness that a character experiences, despite being in a situation where they wouldn't normally expect to smile. It can indicate a sense of surprise, the influence of a character's charm or wit, an inner conflict, or a moment of realization that leads to a change of emotion. The context surrounding the phrase typically provides insight into why the character smiled and what this action reveals about their personality or the situation at hand.