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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
A few minutes brisk walking brought him to the inner side of the wood, and there, in the
midst of the little clearing, stood the blasted oak which was his goal. Another rapid
stride or two revealed to him the tall and slender figure of a man leaning against it; a
man dressed in the extreme of the prevailing fashion, whose blue coat and kerseymere
pantaloons were evidently the production of an artist, while the immaculate whiteness
of his frilled shirt, the accurate folds of his starched cravat, and the incomparable polish
of his Hessian boots did credit alike to washerwoman and valet. Sir Walter had removed
his hat, and — possibly on account of the said cravat — had tilted his head a little
backwards against the tree, so that his pale face with its framework of black curls was
thrown into strong relief against the grey bark : a handsome face in its way, with
aquiline features and bold dark eyes. As Simon drew nearer, these eyes which had been
fixed intently in the opposite direction, reverted slowly to the yeoman's sturdy form and
rested on it languidly.
When the newcomer, instead of passing on, halted abruptly in front of him, a
momentary expression of surprise passed over the dandy's face; but it was quickly gone
again, and without moving his head or in any way changing his easy attitude he drawled
out that it was a fine day.
“It is, indeed, a very fine day. Sir Walter Brooke,” returned Simon; "but I have not
come hither to discuss the weather with you.”
[238]
"Ha!" remarked the baronet, expressing, however, no further curiosity on the subject of
the unsought-for interview.
Simon, after waiting for a moment for the query which did not come, pursued in the
same tone:
“I came here on the part of a lady, whose name need not be mentioned between us, to
transact for her the little matter of business about which you recently communicated
with her".
Under the olive skin the dark colour showed for a moment, and a gleam came into the
eyes which had been hitherto staring at Simon with such cold impertinence. But if Sir