halloed the Greyites; "No stranger! no stranger!" eagerly bawled the
more numerous party. "Smith's floored, by Jove!" exclaimed Poynings, who
was Grey's second. "At it again! at it again!" exclaimed all. And now,
when Smith must certainly have given in, suddenly stepped forward Mr.
Mallett, accompanied by--Dallas!

"How, Mr. Grey! No answer, sir; I understand that you have always an
answer ready. I do not quote Scripture lightly, Mr. Grey; but 'Take heed
that you offend not, even with your tongue.' Now, sir, to your room."

When Vivian Grey again joined his companions, he found himself almost
universally shunned. Etherege and Poynings were the only individuals who
met him with their former frankness.

"A horrible row, Grey," said the latter. "After you went, the Doctor
harangued the whole school, and swears you have seduced and ruined us
all; everything was happiness until you came, &c. Mallett is of course
at the bottom of the whole business: but what can we do? Dallas says you
have the tongue of a serpent, and that he will not trust himself to hear
your defence. Infamous shame! I swear! And now every fellow has got a
story against you: some say you are a dandy, others want to know whether
the next piece performed at your theatre will be 'The Stranger;' as for
myself and Etherege, we shall leave in a few weeks, and it does not
signify to us; but what the devil you're to do next half, by Jove, I
can't say. If I were you, I would not return."

"Not return, eh! but that will I, though; and we shall see who, in
future, can complain of the sweetness of my voice! Ungrateful fools!"