Chapter 445 [XI]

Such was the fate of miss Emily Melvile. Perhaps tyranny never exhibited a more painful memorial of the detestation in which it deserves to be held. The idea irresistibly excited in every spectator of the scene was that of regarding Mr Tyrrel as the most diabolical wretch that had ever dishonoured the human form. The very attendants upon this house of oppression, for the scene was acted upon too public a stage not to be generally understood, expressed their astonishment and disgust at his unparalleled cruelty. ⁴⁴⁶ [] If such were the feelings of men bred to the commission of injustice, it is ⁴⁴⁷ [easy to conceive] what must have been those of Mr Falkland. ⁴⁴⁸ [His whole life had tended to cultivate in him a mind tremblingly alive to moral good / and evil. Upon such occasions he was unable maturely to collect his thoughts and firmly resolve upon the proceeding which the nature of the case required. His habits urged him to madness and ungovernable fury. He could not think of such complicated depravity but with sentiments of preternatural loathing and horror. Perhaps the agonies of the wretch broken upon the wheel, whom the very first sight of that engine of torture had thrown into convulsions, did not exceed those of Mr Falkland in the present situation. He was therefore deprived for a time of all that composure of mind which is requisite to enable us to act with discretion.] It was necessary to guard him like a madman. ⁴⁴⁹ [] The whole office of judging what was proper to be done under the present circumstances devolved upon doctor Arnold.