解説　場面 203「機会を待つ間」

"But it was some time coming. The old gentleman could not be decoyed outside of his grounds at night. Several times Stapleton lurked about with his hound, but without avail. It was during these fruitless quests that he, or rather his ally, was seen by peasants, and that the legend of the demon dog received a new confirmation. He had hoped that his wife might lure Sir Charles to his ruin, but here she proved unexpectedly independent. She would not endeavour to entangle the old gentleman in a sentimental attachment which might deliver him over to his enemy. Threats and even, I am sorry to say, blows refused to move her. She would have nothing to do with it, and for a time Stapleton was at a deadlock.

「だが、その機会が訪れるまでにはしばらくかかった。老紳士を夜に屋敷の敷地外へおびき出すことができなかったのだ。ステイプルトンは何度も猟犬を連れて辺りに潜んだが、成果はなかった。こうした実りのない探索の間に、彼、いや正確には彼の相棒が農民たちに目撃され、魔犬の伝説が新たに裏づけられた。彼は妻がサー・チャールズを破滅へ誘い出してくれると期待したが、この点で彼女は思いがけない自立心を見せた。老紳士を恋愛感情でもつれさせ、敵の手へ引き渡すようなことをしようとはしなかった。脅しも、残念ながら殴打さえも、彼女の意志を変えられなかった。彼女は一切かかわろうとせず、ステイプルトンはしばらく行き詰まった。