He seized the chair behind him--the very chair which, while an appearance of politeness was still possible, Mr.O'Rourke had offered to Augusta Goold--and flung it with all his force at the man with the stone.

One of the legs grazed Hyacinth's cheek, scraping the skin off.

The corner of the seat struck the man beside him full across the forehead just above his eyes.

The blood poured out, blinding, and then, as he gasped, choking him.

He reeled and huddled together helplessly.
He could not fall, for the pressure of the crowd round him held him up.
Hyacinth felt his hands groping wildly as if for support, and reached out his own to grasp him.