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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
of my motive in making this appeal, and for that reason I can speak plainly. Rachel
Charnock has done me the greatest injury which one woman can do to another. Yes,
indeed," she cried with increasing excitement, “I have suffered much from others, but
till now have been able to hold my ground. I can compete with women of my own age
— aye, I have known the favourite of the hour to be even older than myself. I can afford
to despise most of those who would flatter themselves that they are my rivals, knowing
well that the heart to which I have the highest claim — the only rightful claim-" she
added emphatically, “has but wandered from me for a brief space; and will return to me,
full of remorse and
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renewed fondness. But this girl! No actress this, no harridan, a lady as well born as
myself and young! Oh, is it not base to compete with me for the affections which are
mine in the sight of God and man? How can I hold my ground when she takes the field?
She, with that exquisite bloom, that freshness, that young gaiety and archness —
everything is forgotten at sight of her— all that should be held most dear, most sacred."
Simon's indignation, which had increased during the first part of this speech, had
suddenly subsided; the gaze which he turned on the agitated face was full of
compassionate concern.
“You may trust me, madam," he said in a low voice, "though you are not such a stranger
to me as you think; I know who you are, and I can feel for you."
Mrs. Fitzherbert drew back with a surprised and haughty glance; she was by nature a
proud woman, and in spite of the many vicissitudes, the enforced humiliations, of her
chequered career, she was a proud woman still. The blunt speech of this young
countryman confounded and offended her; and she was, moreover, displeased with
herself for the involuntary outburst which had called forth such a rejoinder. But when,
fixing his kindly eyes upon her, Simon repeated with the utmost simplicity and sincerity
the assurance of his sympathy, she was disarmed. This was a strange man, but, as she
instinctively felt, a good and true one.
After a moment's pause she extended her hand to him with a pretty, gentle dignity, and
all at once smiled: she had a peculiarly charming smile, bright and sweet; dimples