Rose was rid of her tormentors, but she cast apprehensive glances in the direction of Tom.

“Can they hurt him?” she asked of Harry.

And he replied, with a light laugh: 

“He looks a child that can stand up for himself!”

Nevertheless, after William had taken Rose to his house to pass the rest of the time of her aunt’s absence, and Tom and Harry were walking southwards again, the latter said to his friend: 

“All the same, Tom, I would have you take care of yon braggarts.  They are as evil a set of fellows as walk the streets of this city, and if they could chance to do you an ill turn, be sure they would not let it pass.”

But Tom only laughed.  He had passed through many perils of late, and he felt that in the heart of this great city he could take care of himself.  A sort of careless self confidence had been his chief peril through life, and his association with Lord Claud had not tended to diminish it.  In the presence of his patron, indeed, he often felt of little account; but elsewhere he fancied himself something of a hero, and was by no means disposed to tremble before the malevolence of a set of swaggering bullies.

The town was very gay this bright springtide, and Tom was more than ready to plunge into the vortex of such amusements as were open to him.  His lack of funds did not embarrass him, as Harry was ready to lend him money, and he had some success at the dicing tables in those coffee houses which he frequented.  Gambling had not any great attractions for him, but a little excitement did not come amiss, and the fascination of winning was powerful.

Sometimes he was persuaded to try his luck at basset or ombre, and here his lack of knowledge of the games often caused him to lose.  But he cared little, telling himself that he should soon have his share of the reward offered by the Duke to his secret messengers; and he plunged more and more deeply into debt, rather by way of passing the time than for any particular delight in play.  He had not yet acquired strength enough to decline to share the amusements of those about him.  He kept up his sword practice in the mornings, and took long walks with Harry Gay to visit different places of interest in and about the city; but the afternoon and evening were usually spent in some place of amusement, and little by little Tom became impatient for his money.  He had borrowed several times from Harry; but he thought he ought to be hearing something from Lord Claud.

At last he called at his rooms, and asked for him.  He was asked to wait, as Lord Claud was expected home shortly, and Tom’s face was well known to the valet.  He went up to the familiar room, but noted with surprise how many pictures and curios were missing from their places.  The rooms were comfortable, even luxurious, but they lacked the costly elegance which had characterized them before.  It seemed to Tom as though Lord Claud must have been in need of money, too, and have been selling his valuables to keep himself in funds.  That seemed a strange shift for one to whom the state owed so heavy a debt.