"A widow's refusal of a lover is seldom so explicit as to exclude hope"

In this quote, Samuel Richardson is suggesting that when a widow turns down a possible fan, she seldom does so in a way that entirely shuts down any possibility of a future relationship. Rather, there is typically a glimmer of hope that the rejected enthusiast might still have an opportunity. This could be due to societal expectations or the widow's own feelings of isolation and desire for companionship. Richardson is highlighting the complexity of relationships and the fragile balance between rejection and hope. He also may be talking about the durability of humanity and our capability to hold onto hope even in the face of rejection.