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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
upon him ever since that encounter at early dawn. But it was difficult to be calm amid
this disturbance of the elements; moreover, his own frame was still tingling with
excitement. Indoors, perhaps, he would be able to find a quiet moment; but before he
reached the Farm an incident occurred which threw his soul into even greater confusion.
"Mr. Fleetwood,” called a voice. "Simon Fleetwood!"
Amid the skirling of the blast he had not heard rapid footsteps hastening along the path
in his wake, and the often-repeated cry which bade him tarry had only now reached his
ears.
He wheeled round quickly. A few paces away from him a girl's figure paused, too; the
dark cloak thrown over her shoulders ballooning in the wind, the curly tresses loosened,
the face flushed, the eyes dancing with eagerness.
[158]
“Oh, Mr. Simon, what a race I have had!" cried Rachel. "I thought I should never catch
you, you must wear the giant's seven-leagued boots. What strides! and you make no
more of the wind than if it were a summer breeze, while I am out of breath. I have been
running and screaming for near a quarter of an hour."
Simon hastily retraced his steps, and in a moment stood beside her.
"I am very sorry," he stammered; “I did not hear. Do you want me, Miss Charnock —
can I do anything for you?"
There was a pause — the wind blew out the folds of Rachel's cloak, tearing them from
her hand so that they flapped round her like great black wings; her slight form stood
revealed in its clinging white drapery, her arms in their short sleeves were exposed to
the cold, fierce air. Tremblingly Simon put forth his hand to draw the mantle round her,
his face paling at his own audacity. One little strand of hair which had been dancing on
her brow was now blown right across her face: she was clutching tightly at her cloak
and had no free hand wherewith to disentangle herself, and Simon looked and longed,
but did not dare. She shook her head like a petulant child and turned a little sideways,
thus ridding herself of the silken veil; and Simon breathed easily again, and was glad
that he had not succumbed to the temptation. But her next words made him start.