1. What is it that attracts people to danger? Is danger simply an extreme form of passion? Think about this in relation to the dangers that developed from Henry's strong desires.

2. Discuss the differences between crimes of passion and premeditated crimes. Is Miss Charming guilty of either crime?

Is Henry? Why or why not?

3. What role did Sarah Doyle play in the novel? What role did Mary Reed (Alice Craddock) play?

4. How well do we know the characters' true natures? Do we understand them better at the end of the novel than we did at the beginning, and if so, why?

5. Discuss the opinions the people of Chatham had of Miss Charnning when she first arrived. Why do you suppose they felt as they did?

6. Why does Mildred Griswald want to see Miss Charnning hanged?

7. Discuss the ways Henry identifies with Leland Reed and how...