Courageous of Tommy, was it not?
But observe the end.

He was left in the dining-room to take charge of his captives until morning, and by and by he was exhorting them in such noble language to mend their ways that they took the measure of him, and so touching were their family histories that Tommy wept and untied their cords and showed them out at the front door and gave them ten shillings each, and the one who begged for the honour of shaking hands with him also took his watch.

Thus did Tommy and Lady Pippinworth become friends, but it was not this that sent him so often to her house to tea.

She was a beautiful woman, with a reputation for having broken many hearts without damaging her own.
He thought it an interesting case..