Possible Clues:

• Vilify
• Malign English female protected by an American woman
• Do a hatchet job on
• Slag off Guardian setter, turning on a Guardian setter
• Slander American woman, European female intervening
• Couple of poor grades withheld by lady in disgrace
• Speak ill of brilliant ace, the writer
• Run down verbally
• Subject to slander
• Slander American woman keeping keys