"I doubt it. Why should she?"
"Because you've never made yourself a spectacle of folly. You've never told her you're in love with her."
"But I'm not," said poor Straker.
"She doesn't know that. And if she did she'd respect you all the more."
"Dear Fanny, I'd do a great deal for you, but I can't do that. I can't, really. It wouldn't be a bit of good."
"You could speak," Fanny said, "to Furny."
"I couldn't."
"Why not?" she cried, in desperation.
"Because, if I did, I should have to assume things—things that you cannot decently assume. I can't speak to him. Not, that is, unless he speaks to me."