Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Case of Lady Sannox
Hehadatonetimebeenfondofacting,hadevenrentedatheatreinLondon,andonitsboardshadfirstseenMissMarionDawson,towhomhehadofferedhishand,histitle,andthethirdofacounty.Sincehismarriagehisearlyhobbyhadbecomedistastefultohim.Eveninprivatetheatricalsitwasnolongerpossibletopersuadehimtoexercisethetalentwhichhehadoftenshowedthathepossessed.Hewashappierwithaspudandawatering-canamonghisorchidsandchrysanthemums.
Itwasquiteaninterestingproblemwhetherhewasabsolutelydevoidofsense,ormiserablywantinginspirit.Didheknowhislady’swaysandcondonethem,orwasheamereblind,dotingfool?Itwasapointtobediscussedovertheteacupsinsnuglittledrawing-rooms,orwiththeaidofacigarinthebowwindowsofclubs.Bitterandplainwerethecommentsamongmenuponhisconduct.Therewasbutonewhohadagoodwordtosayforhim,andhewasthemostsilentmemberinthesmoking-room.HehadseenhimbreakinahorseattheUniversity,anditseemedtohaveleftanimpressionuponhismind.
ButwhenDouglasStonebecamethefavouritealldoubtsastoLordSannox’sknowledgeorignoranceweresetforeveratrest.TherewasnosubterfugeaboutStone.Inhishigh-handed,impetuousfashion,hesetallcautionanddiscretionatdefiance.Thescandalbecamenotorious.Alearnedbodyintimatedthathisnamehadbeenstruckfromthelistofitsvice-presidents.Twofriendsimploredhimtoconsiderhisprofessionalcredit.Hecursedthemallthree,andspentfortyguineasonabangletotakewithhimtothelady.
