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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
saw that his face was filled with a curious longing and sorrow, at which she was much
puzzled and a little perturbed. Simon's behaviour was altogether unaccountable, and
more than once that day she asked herself what could be the meaning of it; but, contrary
to her usual custom, she did not discuss the matter with her mother.
That windy day, which began so eventfully for Simon, was destined ere its close to alter
the whole course of his life. An hour or two later, after a pretence of dining, he prepared
to sally forth once more into the very teeth of the storm, not because any out-door work
was possible on such a day, but because, contrary to his anticipations of the morning, he
could not brook to sit still in the house. He could not think — he could not rest — his
mind was in a fever, his whole soul had risen in revolt.
But even as he stood upon the threshold, buttoning up his coat, a carriage drove with a
clatter into the yard, and Madam Charnock descended from it.
[164]
Before turning to Simon she desired her coachman to drive home, adding that she would
make her way back on foot Then, giving her hand to the young farmer, she told him
hurriedly that she had come to confer with him on a matter of importance.
"Take me, Simon," she added urgently, "to your mother's room; we must be
undisturbed."
Miss Binney was safe in the back premises, and would not have been likely to intrude
upon them in the oak parlour, but, for greater security, Simon acceded to the lady's
request, and ushered her upstairs to the bright tenantless room which held for both of
them so many memories. The lady loosened her cloak and threw back her hood; her face
was wan and anxious, and Simon marked with regret how prematurely white was the
abundant hair, once so raven black. She did not speak for a moment, and his heart which
had been beating quicker than its wont ever since his encounter with Rachel, now began
to thump violently. After a long pause she turned to him with the keen inquiring glance
he remembered of old.
“Simon," she said, "what have you done to your cousin Gifford?"
He hesitated a moment, and then replied, with a glance as keen: "I have fought him,
because I deemed him unworthy to be your daughter's husband ".