解説　場面 30「説明を考える」

I tried one or two explanations, but, indeed, I was completely puzzled myself. Our friend's title, his fortune, his age, his character, and his appearance are all in his favour, and I know nothing against him unless it be this dark fate which runs in his family. That his advances should be rejected so brusquely without any reference to the lady's own wishes and that the lady should accept the situation without protest is very amazing. However, our conjectures were set at rest by a visit from Stapleton himself that very afternoon. He had come to offer apologies for his rudeness of the morning, and after a long private interview with Sir Henry in his study the upshot of their conversation was that the breach is quite healed, and that we are to dine at Merripit House next Friday as a sign of it.

私は一つ二つ説明を試みたが、実のところ、自分でもすっかり困惑していた。われわれの友人の爵位、財産、年齢、性格、容姿は、どれも有利な条件であり、一族につきまとうあの暗い運命を除けば、不利なことは何も知らない。女性本人の望みをまったく考慮せず、あれほど無愛想に求愛がはねつけられ、本人も抗議せずその状況を受け入れるとは、実に驚くべきことだ。だが、その日の午後、ステイプルトン自身が訪ねてきたことで、われわれの憶測は収まった。彼は午前中の無礼をわびに来たのであり、書斎でヘンリー卿と長く二人で話した結果、仲たがいはすっかり解消し、そのしるしとして、次の金曜日にわれわれがメリピット荘で夕食をとることになった。

"I don't say now that he isn't a crazy man," said Sir Henry; "I can't forget the look in his eyes when he ran at me this morning, but I must allow that no man could make a more handsome apology than he has done."

「いまでも、まともな男だとは言い切れない」とヘンリー卿は言った。「今朝、僕に向かって走ってきたときの目つきは忘れられないが、あれ以上見事な謝り方は誰にもできないと、認めなければならない」

"Did he give any explanation of his conduct?"

「自分の振る舞いについて、何か説明をしましたか」