This time Charlton fell on him in a thoroughly murderous mood, and would perhaps have beaten and choked him to death in the frenzy of his long pent-up passion, for notwithstanding Westcott's struggles Albert had the advantage.

He was sober, active, and angry enough to be ruthless.

Westcott's friends interfered, but that lively gentleman's eyes and nose were sadly disfigured by the pummeling he had received, and Charlton was badly scratched and bruised.
Whatever hesitancy had kept Albert from talking to Katy about Smith Westcott was all gone now, and he went home to denounce him bitterly.
One may be sure that the muddled remarks of Mr.Westcott about Katy--of which even he had grace to be a little ashamed when he was sober--were not softened in the repetition which Albert gave them at home.

Even Mrs.Plausaby forgot her attire long enough to express her indignation, and as for Miss Marlay, she combined with Albert in a bayonet-charge on poor Katy.
Plausaby had always made it a rule not to fight a current.

Wait till the tide turns, he used to say, and row with the stream when it flows your way.