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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
said I had no faults; but this honest fellow in the first hour of his wooing must needs
twit me with them. Nay, I am but jesting; at heart I am proud of you just as you are. Oh,
Mother, if you knew the blessing of leaning against this rock of truth after being tossed
about as I have been lately in that whirlpool yonder. Here is one who could not deceive
me if he were to try."
Mrs. Charnock shot a sudden, eager glance at Fleetwood, but he had no eyes for her,
and het earnest scrutiny could detect no change in his face except that the words of his
beloved brought the colour to his bronzed cheek, and seemed to lend a certain element
of shy tenderness to the rapture already patent.
“Now, children, children," she said after a pause, “we must not go too fast. We must
make sure of our ground before we begin to build our castle. What about Papa, Rachel?"
Though she addressed her daughter, her eyes were still fixed on Simon.
"Oh, Papa will come round in time," returned Rachel.
“Simon must not mind if he is a little disagreeable at first."
“I think the Squire will not withhold his consent," said the yeoman quietly, "when he
sees that it is really his daughter's wish. I will go up to the Hall to-night and speak to
him.”
Madam Charnock continued to gaze at him dubiously.
“I scarcely think that you will be well received; but still, perhaps it is better to lay the
case before him at once. I, at least, will be your friend."
“I thank you with all my heart," said Simon, taking the hand which she extended to him
and holding it a moment in his strong, earnest clasp.
“Blessed, blessed woman!” cried Rachel; “now all
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is sure to go well. My father always comes round to your view in the end."
She continued to prattle gaily until they reached the house; and then, at a hint from her
mother, retired upstairs, while the lady herself accompanied Simon into the study.
Mr. Charnock was standing at the window, apparently on the look out for them,
“Well, ma'am, I was wondering what had become of you. Ha! you have brought our
good friend Fleetwood with you, I see. Met him prowling round the fields, as usual, I