The correct option is A Appreciation
In the last lines of the passage the author says that as Austen's conversation was exactly like her letters (Austen said so in one of her letters) which were "full of witty, ironic, and malicious remarks" then we can rest assured that her conversation was delightful. In this context, we can conclude that the author's attitude towards "malicious remarks" is one of appreciation. Thus E is the best answer.