The first impulse was to fly from the scene; but I could not be long insensible to the exigences of the moment.

I saw that affairs must not be suffered to remain in their present situation.

The insensibility or despair of Welbeck required consolation and succour.

How to communicate my thoughts, or offer my assistance, I knew not.

What led to this murderous catastrophe; who it was whose breathless corpse was before me; what concern Welbeck had in producing his death; were as yet unknown.
At length he rose from his seat, and strode at first with faltering, and then with more steadfast steps, across the floor.