Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary

Hugh finds that Florence is avoiding him and receives a note from her father telling him not to communicate with his daughter. After being rejected by Florence, Hugh goes out partying with Edward and Micky. They go to the Argyll Rooms, a dancing hall that has rooms upstairs. Edward and Micky explain how it works to Hugh, who has never been there. The girls are not prostitutes but girls from around town. The introduction to a girl is made by an employee of the dance hall. They meet Fatty Greenbourne, one of their friends from Windfield, who is now a London banker and they join him. He is now called Solly.

Solly introduces the men to Miss Robinson, who he is seated with. She tells them her father used to work at Tobias Pilaster and Co. Solly tells them that Tonio...