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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
consider this proposal — I ask only for a single interview. I promise to bring with me
the paper about which we have so fiercely quarrelled, and I vow to you on my honour as
a gentleman that if you but satisfy me in this matter you shall yourself destroy it in my
presence.' There is a postscript to the effect that, his impatience brooking no delay, he
has been to reconnoitre; and fixes as the place of meeting the wood known as the Three
Comers, a mile to the north of my father's house, and will await me there at the blasted
oak to-morrow, between five and six in the afternoon. Now, Simon Fleetwood, what
think you of that? What possible compromise can he suggest?"
"What think I?" cried Simon, whose colour had risen during the perusal of this
document, and who, indeed, had found it hard to listen to it in patience, "I think the
fellow is an impudent scoundrel. I would you would let me deal with him."
“Why, Simon, would you really take this pother off my hands?" cried Rachel excitedly;
“to tell the truth, I myself had some notion of asking you to accompany me, and this is
the favour I spoke of, for it seems to me that I shall be forced to keep this assignation.
The wretch is desperate, as he says, and if I push him too
[235]
hard is capable of making great trouble. How thankful I am I met you, I should not at all
have liked to venture alone to the Three Corners and to no one but you, Simon, would I
confess my dilemma."
"You must not go near him," said the yeoman decidedly. "I take you at your word. Miss
Charnock. I will undertake to manage this business, I will meet the gentleman tomorrow
in your place, and will guarantee that he shall trouble you no more."
"Verily, Simon, if you accomplish that you will be a mighty clever man. I give you
leave to try, however. In truth I have no mind to meet Sir Walter Brooke at all — but
the wager — we must not forget the wager. He holds that plaguy paper still, remember."
“You shall have the paper back," returned Simon quietly.
“It will not be so easy to obtain it, but still 'Faint heart never' —I mean," pausing in
confusion, "I don't know what I mean."
Simon looked at her very earnestly — "I would I knew it," he said, adding in a lower
tone, half to himself, “I would you knew what I mean".