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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
followed her, looking round him in amazement, half doubting even now that he was in
truth awake, for the tawdry splendour of the place was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Silken hangings of brilliant hues and barbaric design, a profusion of gilding, a
multiplicity of lights even in this apparently disused chamber, curious ornaments
representing birds and beasts such as had surely never walked the earth or hovered in
the air — all was a medley so odd, so savage, so inharmonious, that Simon could never
have even imagined the like.
But he was not left long to wonder, even had he been inclined to waste time in doing so,
for Mrs. Fitzherbert beckoned him impatiently to follow her. On they went through
another brilliantly lighted apartment, and then another, and now the sound of voices and
loud laughter reached their ears. The lady suddenly
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paused, turning on her companion a face in which no vestige of colour remained.
"I have done my part," she said, "the rest remains with you. If you are hard pressed you
may use my name, but I fear me it will scarce protect you. If there is risk — if
misfortunes overtake you — on your own head be it! But I wish you well. Go straight
on and open that door — those you seek are there. Remember, you cannot return in this
manner. I have brought you hither, but you must make your own way out."
"Madam, I understand," said Simon. "I am ready to take all consequences. I thank you,
and I pray God to bless you."
Leaving her then, he hastened on to the door she had indicated, and she, with a deep
sigh, retraced her steps and soon disappeared.
With his hand upon the handle of the door Simon paused one moment, an unspoken
prayer in his heart; then it yielded to his hand, and he stepped into the room within.
More tawdry splendour here, more gilding, more candles. Simon had eyes for none of
these things, nor for the notable company which surrounded a great gilded card table.
His eyes, as though attracted by a magnetic influence, fixed themselves at once on her
of whom he had come in search. He saw her slight figure drooping with evident
weariness; he saw her face, ghastly in the glaring light, haggard, with deep shadows
under the great dilated eyes; the lips, those lovely lips which were wont to be so soft,