Character Sketch: A Question of Trust | English Class 10 PDF Download

Character Sketch of Horace Danby

Horace Danby is a middle-aged, unmarried man of about fifty who lives a quiet, respectable life and works as a skilled lock maker. He appears to be an honest and well-liked citizen, though he suffers from hay fever due to his allergy to flowers. However, behind his seemingly simple life lies a secret—once a year, Horace commits a carefully planned robbery to support his love for rare and expensive books.

He is not driven by greed or violence and avoids harming anyone. In fact, Horace is cautious, meticulous, and leaves no fingerprints, which is why he has never been caught. His targets are always rich houses, and he sees his thefts as harmless and necessary to satisfy his passion for books.

During a robbery at the Grange, he is tricked by a clever woman thief who poses as the owner of the house. Believing her, Horace helps her open the safe and ends up getting caught by the police. In prison, he becomes a librarian, reflecting on his mistake with bitterness and resentment. He feels betrayed and foolish, often recalling the lady who outsmarted him.

Horace’s character shows that even someone who seems good and gentle can be led astray by personal desires. His story also highlights the irony of the phrase ‘honour among thieves’, as he learns the hard way that not everyone plays fair.

Keywords for Character Sketch of Horace Danby:
Unmarried, lock maker, allergic, secretive, book lover, careful, skilled, gullible, innocent, betrayed, librarian, resentful, cautious, respectable, non-violent

Character Sketch of The Lady in Red

The Lady in Red is a clever, confident, and mysterious woman who plays a key role in deceiving Horace Danby. Dressed elegantly and speaking gracefully, she exudes charm and authority, easily convincing Horace that she is the real owner of the house. Her appearance, calm demeanor, and composed behavior make her instantly believable.

She is manipulative and persuasive, telling Horace that she needs the jewels for a party that night. With her natural charm and convincing lies, she easily gains Horace’s trust and even makes him open the safe without gloves—leading to his eventual arrest. Her presence is so convincing that even the dog in the house responds to her affectionately, reinforcing the illusion.

Despite being caught off-guard in a risky situation, the Lady in Red takes complete control, showing no signs of panic. Her resourcefulness, quick thinking, and deceptive nature help her escape smoothly, while Horace is left betrayed and arrested.

Her true identity remains unknown, adding to her mystery and intrigue. She symbolizes how intelligence, when misused, can lead to manipulation and injustice.

Keywords for Character Sketch of The Lady in Red:
Clever, confident, manipulative, charming, calm, mysterious, resourceful, deceptive, persuasive, smart, composed, graceful, quick-thinking