That is an old style revolver, you see, vintage of 1880 or thereabouts, I should say.

Not a self-cocker.

And, you'll notice it isn't cocked.
So, even if you had stuck to your lethal threat and had pulled the trigger ever so hard, I'd still be more or less alive.
You'll excuse me for mentioning it," he ended in apology, noting her crestfallen air.

"Any novice in the art of slaying might have done the same thing.

Shooting people is an accomplishment that improves with practice." Coldly, she turned away, and crossed to where the collie was beginning to weary of his fruitless efforts to climb the shinily smooth bark of the giant gumbo-limbo.