The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900 ... - Gredos

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
are evenly matched enough. If I beat you, you must withdraw all claims to the lady. If
you beat me"
"Well, if I beat you, what then?"
"If you beat me I shall of course forfeit all right to interfere; but you will not beat me,"
he added quickly.
"Either way, it seems," sneered Gifford, "I am to lose the girl; there may be two
opinions about that, but tell me why you are so eager to fight this lady's battles,
Fleetwood? What is she to you, d you? Have you hopes on your own account, forsooth?
What can it matter to you whom she marries? She is too dainty a prize to fall to your lot.
Farmer Simon."
"No one knows that better than I do," replied Simon, turning a little pale. "My motives
do not concern you; it is sufficient for you to know that while I live you shall not be
Rachel Charnock's husband. Well, do
[152]
Quick, decide! But remember you must keep to your bargain."
"You give me no choice in the matter. I have no mind to leave my character in your
hands — Madam, yonder, loves me little enough already. Come, I'll shut your mouth for
you — are we to fight here?”
“No, there is not room enough. Come out under the great stack yonder in the field; we
shall be sheltered from the wind and free from disturbance."
He led the way across the yard and down the lane, turning in at length to a large field in
one comer of which stood the stack in question. The wind wrestled with them as they
went, and the wayside trees creaked and groaned. The light was still faint and grey, and
the dew heavy on the grass. The whole scene struck Edward with a chill foreboding of
disaster; the blasts seemed to pierce to his very marrow. As they paused beneath the
rick, and he marked with what a shrill note the wind piped through the leaves, he could
not repress a shudder. But its fierce cold breath seemed to lend Simon fresh vigour; he
threw back his head and laughed joyously; then rapidly began to divest himself of coat
and waistcoat. At that moment, though Edward was partially sheltered, Simon was
standing in the very teeth of the wind, which set his hair streaming, and his shirt sleeves