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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
lover's part in the affair. Though Mrs. Charnock was startled and grieved, she did not
reproach the girl; and extended her hand to Simon with real gratitude and cordiality.
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“I do not thank you” she said, "for rescuing one who is as precious to you as to me. Oh,
Simon, to think that she should have been in such peril — she whom I have ever
watched over so anxiously. You have driven that man away, you say, but he may give
us more trouble yet. Who knows what he may say, what vile colouring he may give to
the story! Oh, Rachel, to think that you should have exposed yourself to this!"
"Nay, madam," interposed Simon quickly, "I think the gentleman will keep quiet
enough. He went away, I assure you, in great fear of me; and, moreover, it will be to his
interest to keep private a matter in which he has played so foolish and discreditable a
part."
“And, indeed, ma'am, you must not shake your head over me any more," cried the girl,
"for I have been scolded enough already, I assure you. Simon, there, was so severe with
me that I was obliged, in self-defence, to ask if he would like to marry me."
Fleetwood threw out his hand quickly as though to check her. The essential modesty of
love belonged to him.
Madam Charnock, ever quick in her perceptions, divined and sympathised with his
feeling, and liked him better in that moment than she had ever done before.
“Well, Simon,” she said, stretching out her hand to him kindly, "I suppose this was
meant to be, and I can truly say I am glad this wild child of mine is to be held in such
safe keeping. I give you joy, my dears."
“That is right,” exclaimed Rachel. "You feel like me, Mother dear, that I shall be safe
with Simon. He loves me, in spite of my faults; do you not, Simon?"
"I love you the more for them," said Simon, "since they make me necessary to you."
"Now, listen to him!" cried Rachel with a pretended pout. "Any man with a spark of
gallantry would have
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