We all know how dangerous is the taste of blood; now cruelty will become a custom even with the most tender-hearted.

Frank felt that he had hardly fleshed his virgin lash: he thought, almost with despair, that he had not yet at all succeeded as became a man and a brother; his memory told him of but one or two of the slightest touches that had gone well home to the offender.

He made a desperate effort to throw off that incubus round his neck and rush again to the combat.
"Harry--Harry; don't let him go--don't let him go," he barely articulated.
"Do you want to murder the man, sir; to murder him ?" said the stout gentleman over his shoulder, speaking solemnly into his very ear.
"I don't care," said Frank, struggling manfully but uselessly.

"Let me out, I say; I don't care--don't let him go, Harry, whatever you do." "He has got it prettily tidily," said Harry; "I think that will perhaps do for the present." By this time there was a considerable concourse.

The club steps were crowded with the members; among whom there were many of Mr Moffat's acquaintance.