解説　場面 22「道を急いで」

I hurried along the road at the top of my speed without seeing anything of Sir Henry, until I came to the point where the moor path branches off. There, fearing that perhaps I had come in the wrong direction after all, I mounted a hill from which I could command a view—the same hill which is cut into the dark quarry. Thence I saw him at once. He was on the moor path about a quarter of a mile off, and a lady was by his side who could only be Miss Stapleton. It was clear that there was already an understanding between them and that they had met by appointment. They were walking slowly along in deep conversation, and I saw her making quick little movements of her hands as if she were very earnest in what she was saying, while he listened intently, and once or twice shook his head in strong dissent. I stood among the rocks watching them, very much puzzled as to what I should do next. To follow them and break into their intimate conversation seemed to be an outrage, and yet my clear duty was never for an instant to let him out of my sight. To act the spy upon a friend was a hateful task. Still, I could see no better course than to observe him from the hill, and to clear my conscience by confessing to him afterwards what I had done. It is true that if any sudden danger had threatened him I was too far away to be of use, and yet I am sure that you will agree with me that the position was very difficult, and that there was nothing more which I could do.

ヘンリー卿の姿を一度も見ないまま、私は道を全速力で急ぎ、荒れ地への小道が分かれる所まで来た。そこで、やはり方角を間違えていたのではないかと不安になり、辺りを見渡せる丘へ登った。あの黒い採石場が切り込まれた丘だ。そこから彼の姿は、すぐに見えた。四分の一マイルほど先の荒れ地の小道にいて、傍らにはステイプルトン嬢に違いない女性がいた。二人にはすでに了解があり、約束して会っていることは明らかだった。二人は話に夢中になりながらゆっくり歩いていた。彼女はひどく熱心に話しているように、小さく素早く手を動かし、彼はじっと聞いて、ときおり強く否定するように首を振っていた。私は岩の間に立って二人を眺め、次にどうすればよいかと、ひどく困惑した。あとをつけて親密な会話へ割って入るのは、ひどく失礼に思えたが、それでも、片時も彼を見失わないことこそが、私の明白な義務だった。友人を相手に、スパイの役をするのは嫌な仕事だ。それでも、丘から彼を見守り、あとで自分のしたことを打ち明けて良心の重荷を下ろす以上に、よい方法は見つからなかった。確かに、彼に突然の危険が迫っても、私は遠すぎて役には立たなかっただろう。それでも、この立場は実に難しく、ほかにできることはなかったと、きみにも認めてもらえると思う。