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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
alone, for she happened to be strolling about the lawn when Simon appeared, and
though Madam witnessed his arrival from the window of the breakfast-room, she
forbore to join them. Actuated either by curiosity or by the good-natured desire to
forward Rachel's romance, she sat still in her arm-chair beside the window, and save for
an occasional glance in the direction of the young people, she cannot be said to have
done her duty as a chaperon. She took note of
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Bertha's start when Simon rode up; he bestrode a beautiful thoroughbred horse, and was
himself looking his best. At sight of his cousin he dismounted, and passing his arm
through the reins advanced to meet her. Mrs. Charnock could not but observe the grace
and dignity of his carriage and demeanour. No young lordling could have comported
himself more becomingly. She heaved a little impatient sigh as she meditated on the
absurd social distinctions which debarred her from admitting him to more intimate
relations with her family. Noblesse oblige, she said to herself; the Squire's only
daughter, the descendant on Madam Charnock's own side of an almost princely line,
could not be suffered to contract a mésalliance. It was a comfort, she told herself, that
the girl had shown no inclination for him; if Rachel's surmise were correct, and if the
attachment she suspected terminated in a marriage between the cousins, why, then of
course all danger ceased to exist, and Simon must be admitted within their circle of
friends. Why was it that the prospect seemed to afford Mrs. Charnock so little
satisfaction? Simon and Bertha meanwhile were standing side by side, on the smooth
lawn, the horse occasionally fidgeting, and being soothed by a touch of his master's
hand: even in her concern about more important matters, Mrs. Charnock noticed the
good understanding which evidently existed between man and beast. Bertha's face was
flushed, and she was talking with eager animation, and Simon — yes, Simon was
listening attentively, bending upon her a gaze of tender interest and concern. The
onlooker tapped her foot on the floor and frowned. Pooh! men were all alike! But she
had given this man credit for greater fidelity, greater strength of character— better taste,
she might have added, for, indeed, she marvelled how he could find eyes for