For the moment the upper classes lay mum-chance and let the storm blow over.

Some of them of course agreed with the condemnation of the Puritans, and many of them felt that Oscar and his associates had been too bold, and ought to be pulled up.
The English journals, which are nothing but middle-class shops, took the side of their patrons.

Without a single exception they outdid themselves in condemnation of the man and all his works.

You might have thought to read their bitter diatribes that they themselves lived saintly lives, and were shocked at sensual sin.

One rubbed one's eyes in amazement.