# A High-Bred Gentleman explained — The Old Man in the Corner

> Chapter companion for The Old Man in the Corner by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

The chapter details the coroner's inquest into the murder of the Hon. Robert de Genneville, focusing on the testimony of his brother, the Earl of Brockelsby, who identifies the body and describes their strained relationship over a legal dispute. The night porter, Peter Tyrrell, creates a sensation by hinting that the mysterious visitor on the night of the murder resembles the Earl, though he refuses to swear to it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

The Earl of Brockelsby appears as a 'high-bred gentleman' and the personification of dignity, yet the coroner's probing and the night porter's hesitation suggest a hidden truth about his involvement in his brother's death.

### Justice and Impunity

The inquest struggles to uncover the truth as key witness Timothy Beddingfield is absent, and the night porter refuses to swear to the Earl's identity, highlighting the difficulty of achieving justice.

## Character check-ins

### Earl of Brockelsby

The central figure at the inquest; identifies his brother's body and testifies about their legal dispute and last meeting.

### Robert Ingram de Genneville

The deceased; his murder is under investigation, with evidence of a brutal beating.

### Timothy Beddingfield

The lawyer who dined with the deceased on the night of the murder; his absence from the inquest raises questions.

### Peter Tyrrell

Night porter at the Castle Hotel; testifies about a mysterious visitor and hesitates when asked if the visitor resembles the Earl.

### Sir Marmaduke Ingersoll

Solicitor for the Earl of Brockelsby, present at the inquest.

### Tremlett

Cashier at the Castle Hotel; provides timeline of the deceased's movements and identifies Beddingfield as his dinner guest.

## Key lines

> The central figure in the coroner’s court that day was undoubtedly the Earl of Brockelsby in deep black, which contrasted strongly with his florid complexion and fair hair.

The Earl of Brockelsby, dressed in mourning black that highlighted his fair features, was the focus of the coroner's court.

_Introduces the Earl as the key figure at the inquest._

> I wouldn't like to swear.

I am not willing to give a definite identification under oath.

_Peter Tyrrell's repeated refusal to swear to the identity of the mysterious visitor, despite his eyes resting on the Earl._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxxii-a-high-bred-gentleman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters