解説　場面 82「町を訪ねる」

I had no opportunity to tell the baronet what I had learned about Mrs. Lyons upon the evening before, for Dr. Mortimer remained with him at cards until it was very late. At breakfast, however, I informed him about my discovery and asked him whether he would care to accompany me to Coombe Tracey. At first he was very eager to come, but on second thoughts it seemed to both of us that if I went alone the results might be better. The more formal we made the visit the less information we might obtain. I left Sir Henry behind, therefore, not without some prickings of conscience, and drove off upon my new quest.

前夜はモーティマー医師が遅くまでヘンリー卿とカードをしていたため、ライオンズ夫人について知ったことを準男爵へ話す機会がなかった。しかし朝食の席で発見を伝え、クーム・トレーシーへ一緒に行く気があるかと尋ねた。初めは彼もひどく行きたがったが、考え直すと、私一人の方がよい結果を得られそうだということで二人の意見が一致した。訪問を改まったものにすればするほど、得られる話は少なくなるかもしれない。そこで多少の良心の痛みを覚えながらもヘンリー卿を残し、新たな調査へ馬車を走らせた。

When I reached Coombe Tracey I told Perkins to put up the horses, and I made inquiries for the lady whom I had come to interrogate. I had no difficulty in finding her rooms, which were central and well appointed. A maid showed me in without ceremony, and as I entered the sitting-room a lady, who was sitting before a Remington typewriter, sprang up with a pleasant smile of welcome. Her face fell, however, when she saw that I was a stranger, and she sat down again and asked me the object of my visit.

クーム・トレーシーに着くと、パーキンズに馬を預けるよう言い、話を聞きに来た女性の居所を尋ねた。町の中心にある、よく整えられた部屋はすぐに見つかった。女中は取り次ぎもそこそこに私を通した。居間へ入ると、レミントンのタイプライターの前に座っていた女性が、愛想のよい歓迎の笑みを浮かべて立ち上がった。しかし見知らぬ客だと分かると表情が曇り、再び腰を下ろして訪問の目的を尋ねた。