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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
"I tell you, I will! I will go if I like. You had no right to refuse without consulting me. It
is nothing to me if you don't come. I'll wager the Prince will be just as well pleased to
see me without you."
Simon's heart stood still: it was Rachel's voice, raised high in anger. Some indignant
rejoinder which Simon did not catch came from the landing, and then Rachel's tones
rang out again.
“Madam, I shall be well taken care of, I assure you; these gentlemen will be most happy
to look after me, and Lord Robert will give me the best seat in his coach."
He could hear the men rejoin in a laughing murmur, and then Lady Susan's reply, now
quite distinguishable, the lady having evidently descended the stairs,
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"’Tis disgraceful— intolerable! I tell you, Rachel, the town will be ringing with your
name to-morrow."
"Just what I want," returned Rachel; "I like to be talked about" She suddenly appeared
on the threshold, and darted a searching glance out into the night.
Simon instinctively felt that she was looking for him, but was for the moment incapable
of speech or movement
"Pray, Lord Robert," she called out, "will you honour me by giving me a seat? I, too, am
going to the Pavilion."
A head was thrust from the window of the coach, and the drawling, somewhat cracked
tones of the master of the equipage responded that it was indeed a most delightful
surprise, and Miss Charnock was a thousand times welcome.
“No, Lord Robert; 'tis but a piece of folly," screamed Lady Susan, rushing out as Rachel
was about to make her way towards the vehicle. "I’ll not hear of it, Rachel, I tell you. If
you care nothing for your own good name, I vow my house shall be respected."
Rachel shrugged her shoulders. "That, your lady-ship, would be a new state of affairs,"
she cried; and shook herself free from the hand that would have detained her.
“You little hussy!" shrieked her ladyship, qualifying the epithet with an adjective which
will not bear repeating. I’ve had enough of this. If you are bent on disgracing yourself,
do so; but do not think to make your home with me afterwards. If you leave my house