But Nellie was altered; he was altered; everything was altered.  He remembered the ecstasy of their excursion to Switzerland.  He remembered the rapture with which, on their honeymoon, he had clasped a new opal bracelet on her exciting arm.  He could not possibly have such sensations now.  What was the meaning of life?  Was life worth living?  The fact was—­he was growing old.  Useless to pretend to himself that it was not so.  Both he and she were growing old.  Only, she seemed to be placidly content, and he was not content.  And more and more the domestic atmosphere and the atmosphere of the district fretted and even annoyed him.  To-night’s affair was not unique.  But it was a culmination.  He gazed pessimistically north and south along the slimy expanse of Trafalgar Road, which sank northwards in the direction of Dr. Stirling’s, and southwards in the direction of joyous Hanbridge.  He loathed and despised Trafalgar Road.  What was the use of making three hundred and forty-one pounds by a shrewd speculation?  None.  He could not employ three hundred and forty-one pounds to increase his happiness.  Money had become futile for him.  Astounding thought!  He desired no more of it!  He had a considerable income from investments, and also at least four thousand a year from the Five Towns Universal Thrift Club, that wonderful but unpretentious organization which now embraced every corner of the Five Towns—­that gorgeous invention for profitably taking care of the pennies of the working-classes—­that excellent device, his own, for selling to the working-classes every kind of goods at credit prices after having received part of the money in advance!

“I want a change!” he said to himself, and threw away his cigar.

After all, the bitterest thought in his heart was, perhaps, that, on that evening he had tried to be a “card,” and, for the first time in his brilliant career as a “card,” had failed.  He, Henry Machin, who had been the youngest Mayor of Bursley years and years ago, he, the recognized amuser of the Five Towns, he, one of the greatest “characters” that the Five Towns had ever produced!  He had failed of an effect!

He slipped out on to the pavement and saw, under the gas-lamp, on the new hoarding of the football ground, a poster intimating that during that particular week there was a gigantic attraction at the Empire Music Hall at Hanbridge.  According to the posters there was a gigantic attraction every week at the Empire, but Edward Henry happened to know that this week the attraction was indeed somewhat out of the common.  And to-night was Friday, the fashionable night for the bloods and the modishness of the Five Towns.  He looked at the church clock and then at his watch.  He would be in time for the “second house,” which started at nine o’clock.  At the same moment an electric tram-car came thundering up out of Bursley.  He boarded it and was saluted by the conductor.  Remaining on the platform he lit a cigarette and tried to feel cheerful.  But he could not conquer his depression.