The problem with the opening, however, is that it's a perfectly dreadful scene.

One night there was a dreadful scene between them, and in his madness he struck her.

It made perfect sense that he should wish to do so now, after the dreadful scene in the garden.

He sounded grateful to have a duty to perform, especially one that took him away from this dreadful scene.

During the whole dreadful scene his youthful wife had been locked into a closet, where she heard or saw nothing.

I cannot have my nerves shattered by such dreadful scenes.

In due course it came and the dreadful scene repeated itself.

It was a dreadful scene such as I never wish to behold again.

Yet still, over vast distances, I could somehow see that dreadful scene.

I remember a dreadful scene of a poor woman standing up to her waist in the water.