よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 58: The Woman on the Steps
You've finished this scene
Notes on this scene
The King regrets that Adler’s lower rank prevented her from becoming his queen. At Briony Lodge an older woman addresses Holmes by name and says Adler expected his visit. She announces that Adler and her husband left for the Continent on the quarter-past-five train from Charing Cross that morning.
Japanese in this scene
- なったことか
- In an exclamation, どれほど … ことか conveys strong feeling. Here the unrealized condition expresses regret over the queen Adler might have been.
- お見えになる
- お見えになる is an honorific expression for someone’s arrival or visit. It does not simply mean being visible here.
- お発ちになりました
- お + verb stem + になる honors the person acting. 発つ means departing, especially on a journey.
Background
- Charing Cross Station
- This central London station served trains to southeastern ports such as Dover. Crossing the Channel by boat from there led to continental Europe. The 5:15 train indicates a departure before dawn.
- Holmes addressed by name
- Holmes entered the house disguised as a minister the previous day. The woman nevertheless knows his real name and says her mistress expected him. This is the moment he realizes his plan has been seen through.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"It is true. And yet—! Well! I wish she had been of my own station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue.
「それはそうだ。だが――！まあよい！あの女が私と同じ身分であったなら！どれほど立派な王妃になったことか！」国王はふたたびふさぎ込んで黙り込み、その沈黙は馬車がサーペンタイン通りに着くまで破られなかった。
The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the brougham.
ブライオニー荘の扉は開いていて、年配の女が玄関の石段に立っていた。私たちが箱馬車から降りるのを、女は皮肉っぽい目つきで眺めていた。
"Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she.
「シャーロック・ホームズ様でいらっしゃいますね」と女は言った。
"I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze.
「ホームズは私ですが」と、わが友は問いかけるような、いささか驚いた目で女を見ながら答えた。
"Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent."
「やはりそうでしたか！奥様から、あなた様がおそらくお見えになるだろうと伺っておりました。奥様は今朝、ご主人とご一緒に、チャリング・クロス発五時十五分の列車で大陸へお発ちになりました」