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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
preposterous to be contemplated. He had talked a good deal of nonsense about it to
begin with, but had evidently come to his senses of late — any one could see he was not
thinking of paying attention to the girl —and now, even if she did not secure a husband
and establishment yonder, she would at least make the acquaintance of a dozen smart
young beaux who would quite throw poor, plodding Simon in the shade.
“Egad, madam," cried Mr. Charnock, banging on the table with his fist when his wife
demurred, "the girl shall go, if only for that. By George, we know
[225]
what girls are. Simon is the only young man she sees much of just now, and there is no
knowing what folly may come into her head if left to herself But let her see the world,
madam, let her see the world, and I’ll warrant you Master Simon will be forgot quick
enough."
Mrs. Charnock was too well accustomed to her husband's inconsequence to point out
the contradictoriness of his recent statements, and, with many forebodings, set about
preparations for her daughter's journey. Her bird was to leave the nest, to escape from
under her wing, and to fly out into the great world; how would it fare with her there?
Rachel wrote home frequently, and each letter bore a rapturous postscript in the hand of
her Aunt Charnock. The dear girl was so much admired, so lovely, so witty, so graceful.
People predicted that she would be the reigning toast of the season, and already the
young bucks were fighting for her hand at the dance. His Royal Highness had
particularly noticed her, and the great Mr. Brummel had got himself introduced at her
first ball. This, Mrs. John Charnock needed not to assure her sister-in-law, was a very
great honour indeed, and no one knew what it might lead to; for it was well known that
a word of commendation from the celebrated beau was sufficient in itself to make a
débutante all the rage.
When all the land lay golden in the summer warmth she returned, and Simon first
caught sight of her as she walked up the path to the church one brilliant Sunday
morning. She wore a hat of strange shape, and her blooming face was partly concealed
by a lace veil very tantalising to the beholder. It seemed to Simon that she had grown