The story is told from the third person point of view, which means that the reader is provided with the unfolding story along with the protagonist, in this case, Mr. Mummery. This perspective also allows the reader to understand the main character's thoughts and feelings throughout the piece.

The author uses the technique of foreshadowing at the beginning of the story when Mr. Brookes comments on Ethel's stellar performance with the young Mr. Welbeck in a performance of a play entitled Romance last year. By the end of the story, it becomes clear that Ethel and Welbeck have been having an affair, which is the impetus for Ethel's attempts to poison her husband.

A strong element of irony exists in the story with the initial positioning of Ethel as weakened from a nervous breakdown, when in actuality she is the strong one plotting her husband's...