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

Thy sting is not so sharp
The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
As friend remember'd not —Shakespeare.
Simon had not dared to call on Bertha Gifford on the preceding night: he feared to
startle her by suddenly appearing at so late an hour; but as soon as he could with
decency present himself on the following morning he made his way to the address given
in her letter. The Giffords had taken a good-sized house overlooking the Pavilion
Parade, and the door was opened by a servant in handsome livery. Mrs. Gifford was not
at home, he said, mistaking Simon's inquiry, and Mr. Gifford had left Brighton some
time before.
"I asked for Miss Gifford," said Simon quietly. "If she happens to be at home, I think
she will receive me. Have the kindness to tell her that Simon Fleetwood wishes to speak
with her.”
The man withdrew and presently returned. Requesting the yeoman to follow he ushered
him into a large drawing-room on the first floor, where Bertha stood awaiting him.
“Cousin Simon!" she cried as he entered. "I am glad to see you; but what brings you to
Brighton? I did indeed expect a letter from you, but-”
"Why,” interrupted Simon, grasping her hand, “a
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letter would have been of no use. I thought it better to come myself."
“But what good can you do, Cousin? Did Mrs. Charnock send you?”
"No, indeed. I did not mention the matter to her, fearing to cause her useless distress. I
thought it best to come —I had to come; but now that I am here, I wonder with you
what good I can do."
Bertha looked inquiringly into his white face; the eyes were sunken after a sleepless
night, and there were lines about the mouth which she had never hitherto seen.
She drew a long breath. She had given up all her personal hopes long ago; but she had
not been prepared for this.
“He loves Rachel — he loved her all the time," she said to herself. "It was Rachel!" She
turned a shade paler, and her lips quivered almost imperceptibly.