He made a little détour from his usual route, in order to go to the saddler’s on his errand for Mary. Bold Street was one of the principal streets of Thanshope, and close to the very shop to which Myles was going was a place known to the vulgar as ‘th’ Club.’ This was a billiard and whist club, frequented by the golden youth of the promising town of Thanshope. It was a spot not exactly loved of the mammas of the said town, and much discussed by the young ladies of the same. Much iniquity was vaguely supposed to be perpetrated there: some of the piously disposed spoke of it as a ‘den’; others, who knew nothing, and wished to appear as if they knew a great deal, said it was ‘as bad as the worst of London clubs,’ which remark may serve as a specimen of the mighty self-consciousness of little provincial towns--and ‘den’ is a word which has about it a fine abstract flavour of awfulness. It is probable that, as a matter of fact, much bad whist was played there; billiard balls were knocked up and down, and bets made; too much spirits were probably consumed; as many dull, coarse, or vulgar tales were told, as much aimless scandal was talked, as many praise-worthy efforts were made to ape the manners and tone of metropolitan clubs, as in most provincial institutions of a similar kind. Myles went to the saddler’s, which was next door to this temple of hilarity, fashion, and fastness; got the straps which Mary had spoken of, and then came out to take his way to the town-hall. As he passed the portico of the club, he saw just within it a back which he remembered, clothed in broadcloth. Beside this figure was another, that of a mere lad, with a babyish face and no chin to speak of, who would have been better in the cricket-field, or even grinding at his Latin grammar. On his small-featured insignificant face was stamped an expression of foolish glee and admiration. The first individual was speaking; Myles, strolling leisurely past, heard the words, in the loud, strident voice: ‘Such a chase, my boy! but I succeeded. I found out where she lives, and waylaid her; gave her my protection whether she liked it or not. Unless I’m much mistaken, we shall soon be very good friends. She’s a deep one--those little demure things always are. Ha, ha!’ ‘I say, Spenceley----’ ‘Doosid pretty, though. D--d good eyes she has, and knows how to use them. Look here! do you want your revenge for Saturday night?’ ‘Oh yes! Come along!’ They walked forward to the interior of the hall, and were lost to view. Never before had Myles felt the singular sensation which just then clutched him--a kind of tingling, half of rage, half of shame, from head to foot--a tempest of his whole mental being. He was in a white heat of fury, and only two ideas were distinct in his mind: to find Adrienne, and to punish her insulter.