He rose at last, paid his bill, and, a little suspicious of his equilibrium, stalked into the street.

There, almost unconsciously, he turned and walked westward.

It was getting late; before long the theatres would be emptying: he might have a peep of Sepia as she came out!--but where was the good when that fellow was with her! "But," thought Tom, growing more and more daring as in an adventurous dream, "why should I not go to the house, and see her after he has left her at the door ?" He went to the house and rang the bell.

The man came, and said immediately that Miss Yolland was out, but had desired him to ask Mr.
Helmer to wait; whereupon Tom walked in, and up the stair to the drawing-room, thence into a second and a third drawing-room, and from the last into the conservatory.

The man went down and finished his second, pint of ale.