against the unoffending couple. "Now then, stoopid! Don't keep the
ground if you can't dance, old Slow Coach!" the young surgeon roared out
(using, at the same time, other expressions far more emphatic), and was
joined in his abuse by the shrill language and laughter of his partner;
to the interruption of the ball, the terror of poor little Fanny, and
the immense indignation of Pen.

Arthur was furious; and not so angry at the quarrel as at the shame
attending it. A battle with a fellow like that! A row in a public
garden, and with a porter's daughter on his arm! What a position for
Arthur Pendennis! He drew poor little Fanny hastily away from the
dancers to her mother, and wished that lady, and Costigan, and poor
Fanny underground, rather than there, in his companionship, and under
his protection.

When Huxter commenced his attack, that free-spoken young gentleman had
not seen who was his opponent; and directly he was aware that it was
Arthur whom he had insulted, he began to make apologies. "Hold your
stoopid tongue, Mary," he said to his partner. "It's an old friend and
crony at home. I beg pardon, Pendennis; wasn't aware it was you, old
boy." Mr. Huxter had been one of the boys of the Clavering School, who
had been present at a combat which has been mentioned in the early part
of this story, when young Pen knocked down the biggest champion of the
academy, and Huxter knew that it was dangerous to quarrel with Arthur.

His apologies were as odious to the other as his abuse had been. Pen
stopped his tipsy remonstrance, by telling him to hold his tongue, and
desiring him not to use his (Pendennis's) name in that place or any
other; and he walked out of the gardens with a titter behind him from
the crowd, every one of whom he would have liked to massacre for having
been witness to the degrading broil. He walked out of the gardens, quite
forgetting poor little Fanny, who came trembling behind him with her
mother and the stately Costigan.

He was brought back to himself by a word from the Captain, who touched
him on the shoulder just as they were passing the inner gate.

"There's no ray-admittance except ye pay again," the Captain said.
"Hadn't I better go back and take the fellow your message?"

Pen burst out laughing. "Take him a message! Do you think I would fight
with such a fellow as that?" he asked.

"No, no! Don't, don't?" cried out little Fanny. "How can you be so
wicked, Captain Costigan?" The Captain mutt