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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
claims. My proposal would therefore be this: to advance £5,000 on the same terms as
those agreed to by my cousin
Gifford, and, in addition, to take over —with your permission —the control of such
lands as have hitherto remained in your hands. Your estate joins mine: I would work the
two together; my outlay for stock, labour, and other such expenses could gradually
refunded, and
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the interest due on the mortgage could be suffered to stand over until the property was
in a condition to pay it. All profits over and above —and I hope in course of time, that
such profits would be considerable —would revert to you, sir."
By this time Mr. Charnock had forgotten all about his dignity, and was leaning forward,
gazing intently, almost incredulously, at the yeoman.
"My dear fellow," he said in an altered tone, "this is indeed an extraordinary proposal. I
do not even understand it."
"I am sorry," said Simon; "I had thought that I made my meaning clear." He thereupon
repeated the offer in very nearly the same words, laying further stress on the advantages
it must afford Mr. Charnock.
"And do you mean to say, Simon, that you on your part would be content to derive no
other benefit from this transaction than the very moderate sum you propose to charge as
interest?"
"Sir," replied Fleetwood, "four per cent is a very reasonable rate of interest — the
investment is a fair one. If you wish me, at some future time, to pay myself back the
principal little by little out of the property at my disposal, I have no doubt it could be
done. But let us be open with each other; I want more than this. If you agree to this
arrangement, you must understand that I, for my part, expect you to make the same
terms with me as with my cousin Gifford. Precisely the same terms," he added, looking
steadily at the other.
The Squire rose from his chair with an oath. “What do you mean?" he thundered.