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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
"We have, indeed, common interests at stake," said Mrs. Fitzherbert, putting his
thoughts into words. “In helping each other, we help ourselves. Come, sir, do not look
so doleful. This revelation of yours gives me much hope. If we work together we must
achieve our end.”
“I would that I could hope," said Simon; "but you yourself saw, madam, how she passed
me by. I am to meet her to-night at my cousin's house, yet I fear that little good will
come of the interview. She is too proud to go back upon her word."
"Nay, I have no patience with such pride as that," cried the other angrily. "When a
woman solemnly vows to take a certain man for her husband, and to cleave to him till
death, is there no perjury, think you, in revoking such a pledge?"
Simon was about to speak, but she checked him quickly. “Good Heavens! How can she
esteem herself released from the sacredness of such a vow? She is
[361]
not released. She is irrevocably bound to you; aye, and would be had you betrayed her
confidence in far graver matters. She is too proud, forsooth, to go back upon her word!
Sir, does she realise the meaning of the marriage vow, ‘For better, for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in health and in sickness — till death!' What though the marriage was, as
you say, irregular — the intention was there, the solemn promise which binds, yes, and
will bind, let one's enemies say what they will, till death breaks it."
Her cheeks were flushed, and she breathed quickly; but there was something moving,
even noble in her aspect "Aye, through evil repute and good repute a woman should
cleave to her husband," she said; "bear with him — forgive him, were it seventy times
seven times. When tried almost beyond endurance, let her comfort herself still with the
reflection that she is doing her duty, fulfilling the Will of God. That, sir, I take it, should
be a woman's pride."
Simon was silent, for he knew that she spoke more in reference to herself than to
Rachel. When rumours had formerly reached him of Mrs. Fitzherbert's return to the
Prince of Wales after the banishment of Princess Caroline, Simon had, like many others,
wondered and condemned; but now he could feel nothing but compassion and respect
for the brave woman who, in her determination to fulfil her wifely duty, had defied the