Here was a case of a loaded revolver, like the sword of Damocles, threatening the life of its owner all night long, every night, though it was put by the bed as a safeguard.
The hammer should have been put down on an empty chamber.
However, to repeat, never point a pistol under any circumstances at anything you do not want to shoot.
Never have it loaded except when absolutely necessary.
Now as to when it is necessary to have it loaded. Most people are much safer if they never load it. If you want a pistol to frighten burglars with or to carry in dark lanes at night, get a brightly plated nickel one. The larger you can carry the better. Do not buy any cartridges for it.
If you get the gunmaker to render it impossible to fire it, even if loaded, so much the better.
You can stop any but the most desperate man by “brandishing” this at him in approved theatrical style.
I know of a jeweller who stopped a highwayman by pointing the nickel plated pump of his bicycle at him.
During the war a man took a number of the enemy prisoners by threatening them with his empty revolver.
For people who know nothing of firearms it is much the safest plan not to have any cartridges.