gnawing at the edge of her conscience

[alpacinou]

If someone feels guilty about something, can I say "something is gnawing at the edge of their conscience".

Is this okay?

Laura regretted the way she'd treated William. A pang of guilt gnawed at the edge of her conscience for leaving him hanging. She should've at least given him a sense of closure.

 

[emsr2d2]

I wouldn't bother with "the edge of". Saying "gnawed at her conscience" is OK. However, I'd change the word order of that sentence and start with "A pang of guilt for leaving him hanging ...".

 

[alpacinou]

I wouldn't bother with "the edge of". Saying "gnawed at her conscience" is OK. However, I'd change the word order of that sentence and start with "A pang of guilt for leaving him hanging ...".

Are these both okay?

1. Laura regretted the way she'd treated William. A pang of guilt for leaving him hanging gnawed at the edge of her conscience. She should've at least given him a sense of closure.

2. Laura regretted the way she'd treated William. A pang of guilt for leaving him hanging gnawed at her conscience. She should've at least given him a sense of closure.

 

[Tarheel]

@alpacinou Use the second one.