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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
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many tears," said the yeoman, still gravely. “Sir Walter had laid a very pretty snare, and
intended to use it as a bait. He knew your wish to recover it; he also knew your anxiety
to keep the knowledge of the business from your parents' ears; he counted on your being
tempted • to grant this interview. His intention was to persuade you to elope with him"
“Mercy!" broke in Rachel with a little scream; "why, I hate the sight of the creature!"
“Had you refused," continued Simon in the steady, even voice with which he had begun
his explanation,
“it was Sir Walter's intention to carry you forcibly away. In these days abductions are
unfortunately not uncommon."
Rachel’s eyes grew large with wonder and dismay, and her breath came quickly as she
gazed at Simon.
“How do you know this?" she said after a pause.
"Madam, a post-chaise was drawn up in readiness near the corner of the wood; a man
was concealed in the underwood, who, on Sir Walter's signal, rushed out with a great
cloak with which to envelop you"
“Enough, enough!" cried Rachel. “My God, Simon, if I had gone instead of you! From
what a fate have you saved me!" She was sobbing now, and much agitated. Simon
waited in silence until she grew a little calmer, and she looked up presently with the
great tears standing on her cheeks.
“Oh, Simon, you are right," she said. "I ought to hear it all, though your story fills me
with pain and shame. You said it might have had another end; what was that?"
"I do not want to distress you," he said speaking very gently; "still, I believe it well that
you should know. The story might have ended —it had very nearly ended —in my
killing Sir Walter Brooke. The rage which
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came upon me when I realised his villainy was so great that for a moment it deprived
me of reason; but, thank God! I came to myself before it was too late. Think well, Miss
Charnock," he went on, his voice hardening again, "think well, when next you are
diverting yourself with your fashionable friends, what consequences a frolic