them be considered), as those that might have sounded round a witch's
cauldron over diabolical orgies--accompanied the whole proceeding. So
loud were they that all the men on the stair-case heard them, and fully
expected the immediate apparition of some bulldog, dean, or proctor. It
was nobody's affair, however, but Bruce's, and he must do as he liked.
Suton, who "kept" near Bruce, was one of those whom the uproar puzzled
and disturbed, as he sat down with sober pleasure to his evening's work.
His window was opposite Bruce's, and across the narrow road he heard
distinctly most of what was said. The perpetual and noisy repetition of
Hazlet's name perplexed him extremely, and at last he could have no
doubt that they were making Hazlet drunk, and then painting him; nor was
it less clear that many of them were themselves half intoxicated.

It had of course been impossible for Suton and others of similar
character to avoid noticing the eccentricities of dress, and manner
which had been the outward indications of Hazlet's recent course. When
a man who has been accustomed to dress in black, and wear tail coats in
the morning, suddenly comes out in gorgeous apparel, and begins to talk
about cards, betting and theatres, his associates must be very blind, if
they do not observe that his theories are undergoing a tolerably
complete revolution. Suton saw with regret mingled with pity, Hazlet's
contemptible weakness, and he had once or twice endeavoured to give him
a hint of the ridicule which his metamorphosis occasioned; but Hazlet
had met his remarks with such silly arrogance, nay, with such a
patronising assumption of superiority, that he determined to leave him
to his own experiences. This did not prevent Suton from feeling a
strong and righteous indignation against the iniquity of those who were
inveigling another to his ruin, and he felt convinced that, as at this
moment Hazlet was being unfairly treated, it was his duty in some way to
interfere.

He got up quietly, and walked over to Bruce's rooms. His knock produced
instant silence, followed by a general scuffle as the men endeavoured to
conceal the worst signs of their recent outrage. When Suton opened the
door, he was greeted with a groan of derision.

"Confound you," said Bruce, "I thought it must be the senior proctor at
the very least."

Without noticing his remark, Suton quietly said, "I see, Bruce, that you
have been treating Hazlet in a very unwarrantabl