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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.
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« Je courus de toute la vitesse de mes jambes jusqu’au point où la
route bifurque sur la lande. Sir Henry demeurait invisible.
« Alors, craignant d’avoir suivi une mauvaise direction,
j’escaladai une colline — celle que l’on avait exploitée comme carrière
de granit — du haut de laquelle ma vue embrassait presque tout le pays.
« Immédiatement, j’aperçus le baronnet à cinq cents mètres devant
moi. Il s’était engagé dans le petit sentier. Une femme, qui ne pouvait
être que miss Stapleton, marchait à côté de lui.
« Certainement un accord existait déjà entre eux et je surprenais un
rendez-vous convenu.
« Ils allaient, lentement, absorbés par leur conversation.
« Je vis miss Stapleton faire de rapides mouvements avec sa main, comme
pour souligner ce qu’elle disait, tandis que sir Henry l’écoutait
attentivement et secouait parfois négativement la tête.
« Je me dissimulai derrière un rocher, curieux de voir comment tout
cela finirait.
« Me jeter au travers de leur entretien, c’eût été commettre une
impertinence dont je me sentais incapable. Mais, d’autre part, ma consigne
m’ordonnait de marcher dans les pas de sir Henry.
« Espionner un ami est un acte odieux. Cependant je me résolus à
l’observer du haut de ma cachette et de lui confesser plus tard ma faute.
J’étais certain qu’il conviendrait avec moi de la difficulté de ma
situation et qu’il approuverait le parti que j’avais pris, bien que, si un
danger soudain l’eût menacé, je me fusse trouvé trop éloigné pour le
secourir promptement.
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