Final answer:
Jane's favorite character when gentle is Lassiter, because his softness and tender interactions with Fay reveal a compassionate side of him, contrasting with his usual rugged demeanor.
Step-by-step explanation:
When this character, Lassiter, is gentle, he is Jane's favorite in the novel, which is a significant point of characterization in their developing relationship.
Jane Withersteen, the heroine of the story, comes to favor Lassiter when she witnesses his gentleness—a quality that seems to soften her perception of him as a foe to her people and aligns with the nurturing side of his personality.
In the excerpts provided, Jane experiences moments where Lassiter shows a side that is sweet and sad, illustrating a gentleness not often associated with a figure like him, known for making children fatherless.
His behavior towards Fay, a young child, is especially tender and demonstrates a loving potential within him.
This wins over both Fay and Jane, emphasizing yet again how gentleness endears Lassiter to Jane, contrary to his hardened exterior often presented by his lifestyle.