解説　場面 109「待つ夕暮れ」

Outside the sun was sinking low and the west was blazing with scarlet and gold. Its reflection was shot back in ruddy patches by the distant pools which lay amid the great Grimpen Mire. There were the two towers of Baskerville Hall, and there a distant blur of smoke which marked the village of Grimpen. Between the two, behind the hill, was the house of the Stapletons. All was sweet and mellow and peaceful in the golden evening light, and yet as I looked at them my soul shared none of the peace of Nature but quivered at the vagueness and the terror of that interview which every instant was bringing nearer. With tingling nerves but a fixed purpose, I sat in the dark recess of the hut and waited with sombre patience for the coming of its tenant.

外では太陽が低く沈み、西の空が緋色と金色に燃えていた。その光は、グリンペンの大沼に点在する遠い水たまりから、赤い斑点となって照り返していた。バスカヴィル館の二本の塔が見え、少し離れた所には、グリンペン村の位置を示す煙がぼんやり浮かんでいた。二つの間、丘の向こうにはステイプルトン家の屋敷があった。黄金色の夕光の中、全ては穏やかで円熟し、平和だった。だがそれを眺める私の心は、自然の平和を少しも分かち合わず、一刻ごとに近づく面会の不確かさと恐ろしさに震えていた。神経を張り詰めながらも決意を固め、小屋の暗い奥へ座り、住人の帰りを沈んだ忍耐で待った。