The longing for freedom, struggle, adventure, was strong upon him.

The restraint of the city, the bare thought of captivity, put wild thoughts into heart and brain; but the sense of having been betrayed--made a tool of--befooled by this handsome, imperious man beside him, set his blood boiling in his veins.
At that moment Nell Gwynne was led out, making sparks fly from her feet as she plunged in passing beneath the doorway.

She looked in perfect condition--sleek, mettlesome, strong, and beautiful.

Tom's heart leaped at the sight of the splendid creature, who turned a responsive head at the sound of his voice, and dropped her velvet nose into his hand.
"She is yours, Tom, from this moment," said Lord Claud, signing away the servant, and himself holding her head; "take her as the gift of one who is neither so indifferent nor so callous as you may think.

Here is a purse of gold, too, Tom--all your own, my lad, so shrink not from taking it.