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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
“Simon," she pursued after a moment, "could you not leave the wheat-field for a little
while and turn your thoughts to me? I would be glad to speak to you."
“Could I not, indeed!" cried Simon; and Rachel, looking up, saw his face brighten and
glow, but, feigning to observe nothing, fell to plucking the leaves from the hedge near
which they stood, in apparent absence of mind.
“As to turning my thoughts to you," he went on, breathlessly and tremulously, "you
know very well, Miss Charnock, that it will require no very great effort on my part to do
that, for they are seldom absent from you."
“So much the better," answered she. "And now, Mr. Fleetwood, let us find a
comfortable spot and sit down. I have a weighty matter to discuss with you, and if you
do not grudge me the time — well then —"answering the protest in his eyes —"since I
know very well you do not grudge me the time, Simon, let us consider it at our ease."
They sat down beneath a great tree, and Rachel, instead of speaking, twined her fingers
in the grass beside her, and plucked the blades and threw them away. Simon's heart beat
so loud and fast that he fancied she must hear it. Perhaps she did; at all events she must
have taken count of the agitation which he could not conceal. At last, clasping her hands
together on her lap, she turned towards him; her face was grave, and paler than it had
been a little time before.
“Do you remember, Simon," she said, “something you said to me one day — something
I laughed at then and pretended not to care about, but which I took note of?"
"I remember, madam," said Simon, “every word that I have ever spoken to you, and
every word that you have ever said to me."
[228]
She laughed a little unsteadily. "What, all my foolish speeches? Ah, what a terrible
memory! But I am glad all the same. Well, then, Mr. Fleetwood, you will doubtless
remember having once assured me that you would help me if ever I stood in need of
help."
“I remember it well," said Simon in that curious vibrating voice of his which told
Rachel more plainly than words all that he was with such difficulty keeping back.