解説　場面 23「遠くの二人」

Our friend, Sir Henry, and the lady had halted on the path and were standing deeply absorbed in their conversation, when I was suddenly aware that I was not the only witness of their interview. A wisp of green floating in the air caught my eye, and another glance showed me that it was carried on a stick by a man who was moving among the broken ground. It was Stapleton with his butterfly-net. He was very much closer to the pair than I was, and he appeared to be moving in their direction. At this instant Sir Henry suddenly drew Miss Stapleton to his side. His arm was round her, but it seemed to me that she was straining away from him with her face averted. He stooped his head to hers, and she raised one hand as if in protest. Next moment I saw them spring apart and turn hurriedly round.

われわれの友人ヘンリー卿と女性は、小道で足を止め、深く話し込んでいた。そのとき私は、二人の面会を見ているのが自分一人ではないと、突然気付いた。空中に漂う、ひと筋の緑色のものが目を引いた。もう一度見ると、それは、でこぼこの土地の間を動く男が、棒の先に付けて運んでいるものだった。捕虫網を持ったステイプルトンだった。彼は私よりはるかに二人の近くにいて、そちらへ向かっているように見えた。そのとき、ヘンリー卿が突然ステイプルトン嬢を自分のそばへ引き寄せた。彼の腕は彼女を取り巻いていたが、私には、彼女が顔をそむけ、彼から離れようと身をよじっているように見えた。彼が顔を近づけると、彼女は抗議するように片手を上げた。次の瞬間、二人が飛び離れ、急いで振り向くのが見えた。