解説　場面 15「仮面の大男」

A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy.

入ってきたのは、身の丈が六フィート六インチを下らないと思われる男で、ヘラクレスのような胸と手足をしていた。服装は豪華だったが、その豪華さは、イギリスでなら悪趣味に近いと見なされるたぐいのものだった。ダブルの上着の袖と前身ごろには、厚いアストラカンの毛皮の帯が斜めに渡され、肩に掛けた深い青のマントは炎の色の絹で裏打ちされて、首もとを燃えるような緑柱石ひと粒のブローチで留めてあった。ふくらはぎの半ばまで届き、上の縁を上等な茶色の毛皮で飾った長靴が、全身から漂う野蛮なまでの豪奢さの印象を仕上げていた。手にはつばの広い帽子を持ち、顔の上半分には頬骨の下まで届く黒い仮面を着けていた。入ってくるときもまだ手を仮面に添えていたから、ちょうどその瞬間に着け直したらしい。顔の下半分から見るかぎり、意志の強い男のようだった。厚く垂れた唇と、長くまっすぐなあごは、頑固と言えるほどの決断力をうかがわせた。