At this period the single opinion in the parish on herself and her doings that she valued as sounder than her own was Gabriel Oak's.

And the outspoken honesty of his character was such that on any subject, even that of her love for, or marriage with, another man, the same disinterestedness of opinion might be calculated on, and be had for the asking.

Thoroughly convinced of the impossibility of his own suit, a high resolve constrained him not to injure that of another.

This is a lover's most stoical virtue, as the lack of it is a lover's most venial sin.
Knowing he would reply truly she asked the question, painful as she must have known the subject would be.

Such is the selfishness of some charming women.