解説　場面 11「長引く不在」

Her prolonged absence having caused some comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange disappearance of the bride.'"

長く戻らないことが話題になり、父親があとを追った。しかし侍女の話では、花嫁はほんの一瞬自室へ戻っただけで、アルスター外套とボンネットを手に取り、廊下へ急いで下りていったという。従僕の一人は、その服装をした女性が家を出るのを見たと証言したが、女主人は一行と一緒にいるものと思い、本人だとは信じなかった。娘が姿を消したと分かると、アロイシャス・ドラン氏は花婿とともに直ちに警察へ連絡した。きわめて精力的な捜索が行われており、この非常に奇妙な事件は早期に解決されるものと思われる。しかし昨夜遅くになっても、行方不明の女性の居場所については何も明らかになっていない。事件には犯罪が絡むとの噂がある。また、嫉妬あるいはほかの動機から花嫁の奇妙な失踪に関わった可能性があるとして、最初の騒ぎを起こした女性を警察が逮捕したとも伝えられている』」