Timorous he was by nature, as we have said, but cruel and unrelenting in proportion to his cowardice; and where an injury could be securely inflicted, or a prostrate foe struck with impunity, he never hesitated for a moment.

Sir Giles himself was scarcely so malignant and implacable.
A strong contrast to this dastardly debauchee was offered by the bolder villain.

Sir Giles Mompesson was a very handsome man, with a striking physiognomy, but dark and sinister in expression.

His eyes were black, singularly piercing, and flashed with the fiercest fire when kindled by passion.

A finely-formed aquiline nose gave a hawk-like character to his face; his hair was coal-black (though he was no longer young), and hung in long ringlets over his neck and shoulders.