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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
which were chiefly remarkable for their size — his own greatness doubtless accounting
for this preference. He had now actually found a New Star, the beauty of which was
fresh to all beholders. After making merry for some time on the subject of Falling Stars,
the writer ended with the hope that the Royal Enthusiast, who had hitherto studied
astronomy chiefly by fits (F — z), though of late he had seemed to have more heart for’t
(H — d), would now make no miss-take.
The simple yeoman read the paper through, and looked at Mrs. Charnock in utter
bewilderment.
“It seems to me great nonsense," he said bluntly; "scurrilous nonsense, I have no doubt,
but I do not understand a word of it."
"What!” cried Madam impatiently, "surely the meaning is plain enough. England's hope
and glory is, of course, the Prince — do they not speak of him here as the Royal
Enthusiast? See, they allude to Mrs. Fitzherbert and Lady Hertford — the Prince of
Wales, you know, is intimate with both these ladies — in fact, it is commonly said that
Mrs. Fitzherbert is his true wife, as his marriage to her took place some years before that
with Princess Caroline. And all this talk about a new star, a star with fresh beauty, a
miss-take. Simon, Simon, my mind misgives me —why should this paper have been
sent to me?"
"Madam," cried Simon hotly, "I see that you fancy these insinuations are directed
against your daughter. Good Heavens! do not you, at least, know her better?
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She is as pure as she is proud, God bless her, and God forgive her!"
“But why — why should the paper have been sent to me?" repeated the poor mother
almost with a wail.
"It may well, as you say, have been despatched by your nephew. Heaven pardon me if I
wrong him, but I believe him to be capable of any malevolence. As for the Prince of
Wales, his follies are notorious — his attentions, they tell me, are divided among many.
Alas! I fear that the discovery of new stars is common enough to him — but Rachel is
too high-minded to suffer him to take liberties with her."