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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
"You would have me believe, I suppose," resumed Rachel, whose colour had been
coming and going during the last few minutes, “you would have me believe that a
woman is superior to an angel."
"Not quite," said Simon softly; "but to every man there must be a woman — one woman
— who is to him the embodiment of all that is sweetest and best."
"You are speaking in riddles," murmured Rachel. "I have no time to decipher them now.
It is growing late,
[212]
and my mother will be wanting me. Good-day, Mr. Fleetwood —come no farther, pray.
I should be loth to take up your time."
As she recrossed the stile, she feigned not to see his proffered hand, but from under her
eyelashes she took note of the renewed disappointment in his face. She uttered no
further word, however, and made her way home with all speed.
[213]
CHAPTER XIX.
Whose latest and most leaden hours
Fall with soft wings stuck with soft flowers;
And when life's sweet fable ends,
Soul and body part like friends. — Crashaw.
Rachel pondered a good deal over Simon's demeanour, and, though his admiration was
not distasteful to her, she came to the conclusion that the young man must needs be kept
at a greater distance. This decision of hers caused her a certain regret, for she really
liked Fleetwood; and, as she reflected, with a sigh that was not all of compassion for
Simon, it would cost her no small effort to repel advances at once so earnest and so
delicate. She soon found, however, that she was not to be called upon to put these
doubty resolutions into effect; for Simon made no further advances. They met
frequently, Fleetwood's avocations necessarily causing him to spend much of his day at