And never during these days did he say a word to her of his love--never since that day in which he had plainly pleaded his cause in the muddy lane.

To no one but Florence Burton had he since spoken of it, and Florence had certainly been true to her trust; but, notwithstanding all that, Fanny's conviction was very strong.
Florence had counselled Mr.Saul to try again, and Mr.Saul was prepared to make the attempt; but he was a man who allowed himself to do nothing in a hurry.

He thought much of the matter before he could prepare himself to recur to the subject; doubting, sometimes, whether he would be right to do so without first speaking to Fanny's father; doubting, afterward, whether he might not best serve his cause by asking the assistance of Fanny's mother.

But he resolved at last that he would depend on himself alone.

As to the rector, if his suit to Fanny were a fault against Mr.Clavering as Fanny's father, that fault had been already committed.