She sat quite unnoticed in her corner, except when Rawdon came up with some words of clumsy conversation: and later in the evening, when Captain Dobbin made so bold as to bring her refreshments and sit beside her.

sat quite unnoticed in her corner; except when Rawdon came up with some words of clumsy conversation: and later, when Captain Dobbin brought her refreshments and sat beside her.


He did not like to ask her why she was so sad; but as a pretext for the tears which were filling in her eyes, she told him that Mrs. Crawley had alarmed her by telling her that George would go on playing.

He did not like to ask her why she was so sad; but to account for her tears, she told him that Mrs. Crawley had alarmed her by telling her that George was still playing cards.


"It is curious, when a man is bent upon play, by what clumsy rogues he will allow himself to be cheated," Dobbin said; and Emmy said, "Indeed."


It was not the loss of the money that grieved her.


At last George came back for Rebecca's shawl and flowers.


She did not even condescend to come back and say good-bye to Amelia.


The poor girl let her husband come and go without saying a word, and her head fell on her breast.

Amelia let her husband come and go without a word, and her head drooped.


Dobbin had been called away, and was whispering deep in conversation with the General of the division, his friend, and had not seen this last parting.


George went away then with the bouquet; but when he gave it to the owner, there lay a note, coiled like a snake among the flowers.

George went off with the bouquet; but when he gave it to Rebecca, there lay a note coiled like a snake among the flowers.


She had been used to deal with notes in early life.


She put out her hand and took the nosegay.


He saw by her eyes as they met, that she was aware what she should find there.

, and he saw that she was aware of his note.


Her husband hurried her away, still too intent upon his own thoughts, seemingly, to take note of any marks of recognition which might pass between his friend and his wife.


Rebecca gave George her hand with one of her usual quick knowing glances, and made a curtsey and walked away.

With one of her quick knowing glances, she curtseyed and walked away with her husband.


George bowed over the hand, said nothing in reply to a remark of Crawley's, did not hear it even, his brain was so throbbing with triumph and excitement, and allowed them to go away without a word.

George said nothing in reply to a remark of Crawley's, did not hear it even, his brain was so throbbing with triumph and excitement.


His wife saw the one part at least of the bouquet-scene.

His wife saw only part of the bouquet-scene.


It was quite natural that George should come at Rebecca's request to get her her scarf and flowers: it was no more than he had done twenty times before in the course of the last few days; but now it was too much for her.

It was quite natural that George should come to get Rebecca's scarf and flowers: it was no more than he had done twenty times before; but now it was too much for her.


"William," she said, suddenly clinging to Dobbin, who was near her, "you've always been very kind to me--I'm--I'm not well.

"William," she said, suddenly clinging to Dobbin, who was near her, "you've always been very kind to me - I'm - I'm not well.


She did not know she called him by his Christian name, as George was accustomed to do.

She did not know she called him by his Christian name.


Her lodgings were hard by; and they threaded through the crowd without, where everything seemed to be more astir than even in the ball-room within.

, threading through the restless crowd outside, and took her to her lodgings nearby.


George had been angry twice or thrice at finding his wife up on his return from the parties which he frequented: so she went straight to bed now; but although she did not sleep, and although the din and clatter, and the galloping of horsemen were incessant, she never heard any of these noises, having quite other disturbances to keep her awake.

George had been angry previously at finding his wife up when he returned from his parties: so she went straight to bed now. She did not sleep; although the din and clatter and galloping of horsemen were incessant, she never heard these noises, having other disturbances to keep her awake.


Osborne meanwhile, wild with elation, went off to a play-table, and began to bet frantically.

Meanwhile Osborne, wild with elation, went off to a card-table, and began to bet frantically.


"Everything succeeds with me to-night," he said.


But his luck at play even did not cure him of his restlessness, and he started up after awhile, pocketing his winnings, and went to a buffet, where he drank off many bumpers of wine.

But he got up after a while, pocketing his winnings, and went to a buffet where he drank a good deal of wine.


Here, as he was rattling away to the people around, laughing loudly and wild with spirits, Dobbin found him.

Here, as he was chatting and laughing loudly with high spirits, Dobbin found him.


He had been to the card-tables to look there for his friend.


Dobbin looked as pale and grave as his comrade was flushed and jovial.


Give me some more, you sir"; and he held out a trembling glass for the liquor.

Give me some more, sir," and he held out a trembling glass.


"Come out, George," said Dobbin, still gravely; "don't drink."

"Come out, George," said Dobbin gravely; "don't drink."


Drink yourself, and light up your lantern jaws, old boy.

"Drink yourself, and light up your lantern jaws, old boy!


Dobbin went up and whispered something to him, at which George, giving a start and a wild hurray, tossed off his glass, clapped it on the table, and walked away speedily on his friend's arm.

Dobbin whispered something, at which George, giving a start and a wild hurray, drained his glass and walked away speedily on his friend's arm.


"The enemy has passed the Sambre," William said, "and our left is already engaged.


Away went George, his nerves quivering with excitement at the news so long looked for, so sudden when it came.

Away went George, his nerves quivering with excitement.


He thought about a thousand things but these in his rapid walk to his quarters--his past life and future chances--the fate which might be before him--the wife, the child perhaps, from whom unseen he might be about to part.

He thought about a thousand things in his rapid walk to his quarters - his past life and future chances - the fate which might be before him - the wife, the child perhaps, from whom he might be about to part.


Oh, how he wished that night's work undone!


and that with a clear conscience at least he might say farewell to the tender and guileless being by whose love he had set such little store!

so that with a clear conscience he might say farewell to the tender being by whose love he had set such little store!


In those few weeks he had frightfully dissipated his little capital.

In those few weeks he had frightfully dissipated his little money.


Should any mischance befall him: what was then left for her?

If anything should happen to him, what was left for her?


Why had he disobeyed his father, who had been always so generous to him?


Hope, remorse, ambition, tenderness, and selfish regret filled his heart.


He sate down and wrote to his father, remembering what he had said once before, when he was engaged to fight a duel.


Dawn faintly streaked the sky as he closed this farewell letter.


He sealed it, and kissed the superscription.


He thought how he had deserted that generous father, and of the thousand kindnesses which the stern old man had done him.

it, thinking how he had deserted that generous father, and of the thousand kindnesses of the stern old man.


He had looked into Amelia's bedroom when he entered; she lay quiet, and her eyes seemed closed, and he was glad that she was asleep.

He had looked into Amelia's bedroom when he entered; she lay quiet, and seemed asleep.


On arriving at his quarters from the ball, he had found his regimental servant already making preparations for his departure: the man had understood his signal to be still, and these arrangements were very quickly and silently made.

His regimental servant was already making silent preparations for his departure.


Should he go in and wake Amelia, he thought, or leave a note for her brother to break the news of departure to her?

Should he wake Amelia, he thought, or leave a note for her brother to break the news to her?


She had been awake when he first entered her room, but had kept her eyes closed, so that even her wakefulness should not seem to reproach him.

She had been awake when he first entered her room, but had kept her eyes closed.


But when he had returned, so soon after herself, too, this timid little heart had felt more at ease, and turning towards him as he stept softly out of the room, she had fallen into a light sleep.

But then this timid little heart had felt more at ease, and she had fallen into a light sleep.


George came in and looked at her again, entering still more softly.


By the pale night-lamp he could see her sweet, pale face--the purple eyelids were fringed and closed, and one round arm, smooth and white, lay outside of the coverlet.

By the night-lamp he could see her sweet, pale face - the purple eyelids closed; one round arm, smooth and white, lay outside the coverlet.


how pure she was; how gentle, how tender, and how friendless!

how pure she was; how gentle, and how friendless!


and he, how selfish, brutal, and black with crime!


Heart-stained, and shame-stricken, he stood at the bed's foot, and looked at the sleeping girl.

Shame-stricken, he stood at the bed's foot, and looked at the sleeping girl.


How dared he--who was he, to pray for one so spotless!


He came to the bedside, and looked at the hand, the little soft hand, lying asleep; and he bent over the pillow noiselessly towards the gentle pale face.

He came to the bedside, and looked at the little soft hand; and he bent over the pillow noiselessly towards the gentle pale face.


Two fair arms closed tenderly round his neck as he stooped down.


"I am awake, George," the poor child said, with a sob fit to break the little heart that nestled so closely by his own.

"I am awake, George," the poor child said, with a sob fit to break her little heart.


At that moment a bugle from the Place of Arms began sounding clearly, and was taken up through the town; and amidst the drums of the infantry, and the shrill pipes of the Scotch, the whole city awoke.

At that moment a bugle began sounding clearly, and was taken up through the town; and amidst the drums of the infantry, and the shrill pipes of the Scotch, the whole city awoke.


Poor Joe's panic lasted for two or three days; during which he did not visit the house, nor during that period did Miss Rebecca ever mention his name.

Poor Joe's panic lasted for two or three days; during which he did not visit the house, nor did Miss Rebecca mention his name.


She was all respectful gratitude to Mrs. Sedley; delighted beyond measure at the Bazaars; and in a whirl of wonder at the theatre, whither the good-natured lady took her.

She was all respectful gratitude to Mrs. Sedley; delighted at the Bazaars, and in a whirl of wonder at the theatre, where the good-natured lady took her.


One day, Amelia had a headache, and could not go upon some party of pleasure to which the two young people were invited: nothing could induce her friend to go without her.

One day, when Amelia had a headache, and could not go on some outing, nothing could induce Becky to go without her.


you who have shown the poor orphan what happiness and love are for the first time in her life--quit YOU?

you who have shown the poor orphan what happiness and love are for the first time in her life - quit you?


and the green eyes looked up to Heaven and filled with tears; and Mrs. Sedley could not but own that her daughter's friend had a charming kind heart of her own.

Rebecca's green eyes looked up to Heaven and filled with tears; and Mrs. Sedley thought that her daughter's friend had a charming kind heart.


As for Mr. Sedley's jokes, Rebecca laughed at them with a cordiality and perseverance which not a little pleased and softened that good-natured gentleman.

As for Mr. Sedley's jokes, Rebecca laughed at them with a cordiality which pleased that good-natured gentleman.


Nor was it with the chiefs of the family alone that Miss Sharp found favour.


She interested Mrs. Blenkinsop by evincing the deepest sympathy in the raspberry-jam preserving, which operation was then going on in the Housekeeper's room; she persisted in calling Sambo "Sir," and "Mr. Sambo," to the delight of that attendant; and she apologised to the lady's maid for giving her trouble in venturing to ring the bell, with such sweetness and humility, that the Servants' Hall was almost as charmed with her as the Drawing Room.

She found favour with Mrs. Blenkinsop the Housekeeper by showing deep sympathy in the raspberry-jam preserving; she persisted in calling Sambo "Sir" and "Mr. Sambo," to his delight; and she apologised to the lady's maid for ringing the bell, with such sweetness and humility that the Servants' Hall was almost as charmed with her as the Drawing Room.


Once, in looking over some drawings which Amelia had sent from school, Rebecca suddenly came upon one which caused her to burst into tears and leave the room.

Once, on the day when Joe Sedley made his second appearance, Rebecca was looking over some drawings of Amelia's from school; when she came upon one which caused her to burst into tears and leave the room.


It was on the day when Joe Sedley made his second appearance.


Amelia hastened after her friend to know the cause of this display of feeling, and the good-natured girl came back without her companion, rather affected too.

Amelia hastened after her friend, and came back alone, rather affected.


"You know, her father was our drawing-master, Mamma, at Chiswick, and used to do all the best parts of our drawings."

"Her father was our drawing-master at school, Mamma, and used to do the best parts of our drawings."


I'm sure I always heard Miss Pinkerton say that he did not touch them--he only mounted them."


Rebecca remembers the drawing, and her father working at it, and the thought of it came upon her rather suddenly--and so, you know, she--"


"The poor child is all heart," said Mrs. Sedley.


"I wish she could stay with us another week," said Amelia.


"She's devilish like Miss Cutler that I used to meet at Dumdum, only fairer.


She's married now to Lance, the Artillery Surgeon.

She's married now to the Artillery Surgeon.


Do you know, Ma'am, that once Quintin, of the 14th, bet me--"

Do you know, Ma'am, that once Quintin, of the 14th, bet me-"


"O Joseph, we know that story," said Amelia, laughing.


"Never mind about telling that; but persuade Mamma to write to Sir Something Crawley for leave of absence for poor dear Rebecca: here she comes, her eyes red with weeping."

"Never mind about that; but persuade Mamma to write to Sir Something Crawley for leave of absence for poor dear Rebecca: here she comes."


"I'm better, now," said the girl, with the sweetest smile possible, taking good-natured Mrs. Sedley's extended hand and kissing it respectfully.

"I'm better now," said the girl, with a sweet smile, taking Mrs. Sedley's hand and kissing it respectfully.


All," she added, with a laugh, "except you, Mr. Joseph."


said Joseph, meditating an instant departure.


"Yes; how could you be so cruel as to make me eat that horrid pepper-dish at dinner, the first day I ever saw you?

"Yes; how could you be so cruel as to make me eat that horrid pepper-dish, the first day I saw you?


You are not so good to me as dear Amelia."


"He doesn't know you so well," cried Amelia.


"I defy anybody not to be good to you, my dear," said her mother.


"The curry was capital; indeed it was," said Joe, quite gravely.

"The curry was capital; indeed it was," said Joe gravely.


"Perhaps there was NOT enough citron juice in it--no, there was NOT."


said Joe, caught by the ridicule of the circumstance, and exploding in a fit of laughter which ended quite suddenly, as usual.

said Joe, exploding in a fit of laughter.


"I shall take care how I let YOU choose for me another time," said Rebecca, as they went down again to dinner.

"I shall take care how I let you choose for me another time," said Rebecca, as they went down again to dinner.


"I didn't think men were fond of putting poor harmless girls to pain."

"I didn't think men were fond of putting poor harmless girls in pain."


"By Gad, Miss Rebecca, I wouldn't hurt you for the world."


"No," said she, "I KNOW you wouldn't"; and then she gave him ever so gentle a pressure with her little hand, and drew it back quite frightened, and looked first for one instant in his face, and then down at the carpet-rods; and I am not prepared to say that Joe's heart did not thump at this little involuntary, timid, gentle motion of regard on the part of the simple girl.

"No," said she, "I know you wouldn't." She gave him ever so gentle a pressure with her little hand, and drew it back quite frightened, and looked first for one instant in his face, and then down at the carpet. Joe's heart thumped at this little involuntary, timid motion of regard on the part of the simple girl.


It was an advance, and as such, perhaps, some ladies of indisputable correctness and gentility will condemn the action as immodest; but, you see, poor dear Rebecca had all this work to do for herself.

Perhaps some ladies will condemn the action as immodest; but, you see, poor dear Rebecca had all this work to do for herself.


If a person is too poor to keep a servant, though ever so elegant, he must sweep his own rooms: if a dear girl has no dear Mamma to settle matters with the young man, she must do it for herself.

If a person is too poor to keep a servant, he must sweep his own rooms: if a girl has no Mamma to settle matters with the young man, she must do it for herself.


And oh, what a mercy it is that these women do not exercise their powers oftener!


Let them show ever so little inclination, and men go down on their knees at once: old or ugly, it is all the same.


And this I set down as a positive truth.


A woman with fair opportunities, and without an absolute hump, may marry WHOM SHE LIKES.


Only let us be thankful that the darlings are like the beasts of the field, and don't know their own power.

Only let us be thankful that the darlings don't know their own power.


They would overcome us entirely if they did.


thought Joseph, entering the dining-room, "I exactly begin to feel as I did at Dumdum with Miss Cutler."

thought Joseph, entering the dining-room, "I begin to feel as I did at Dumdum with Miss Cutler."


Many sweet little appeals, half tender, half jocular, did Miss Sharp make to him about the dishes at dinner; for by this time she was on a footing of considerable familiarity with the family, and as for the girls, they loved each other like sisters.

Miss Sharp made many sweet little appeals, half tender, half jocular, to him about the dishes at dinner. By this time she was on a familiar footing with the family; the girls loved each other like sisters.


Young unmarried girls always do, if they are in a house together for ten days.


As if bent upon advancing Rebecca's plans in every way--what must Amelia do, but remind her brother of a promise made last Easter holidays--"When I was a girl at school," said she, laughing--a promise that he, Joseph, would take her to Vauxhall.

As if bent upon advancing Rebecca's plans, Amelia reminded her brother of a promise he had made that he would take her to Vauxhall.


"Now," she said, "that Rebecca is with us, will be the very time."

"Now," she said, "that Rebecca is with us, is the very time."


said Rebecca, going to clap her hands; but she recollected herself, and paused, like a modest creature, as she was.

said Rebecca. About to clap her hands, she recollected herself, and paused modestly.


"To-morrow your Papa and I dine out," said Mrs. Sedley.

"Tomorrow your Papa and I dine out," said Mrs. Sedley.


"You don't suppose that I'm going, Mrs. Sed?"


said her husband, "and that a woman of your years and size is to catch cold, in such an abominable damp place?"


"The children must have someone with them," cried Mrs. Sedley.


"Let Joe go," said-his father, laughing.


At which speech even Mr. Sambo at the sideboard burst out laughing, and poor fat Joe felt inclined to become a parricide almost.

At which even Mr. Sambo at the sideboard burst out laughing, and poor Joe felt almost inclined to commit patricide.


"Fling some water in his face, Miss Sharp, or carry him upstairs: the dear creature's fainting.

"Fling some water in his face, Miss Sharp: the dear creature's fainting.


carry him up; he's as light as a feather!"


"Send to Exeter 'Change, Sambo"; but seeing Jos ready almost to cry with vexation, the old joker stopped his laughter, and said, holding out his hand to his son, "It's all fair on the Stock Exchange, Jos--and, Sambo, never mind the elephant, but give me and Mr. Jos a glass of Champagne.

; but seeing Jos ready to cry with vexation, he stopped, and held out his hand to his son. "Sambo, never mind the elephant, but give me and Mr. Jos a glass of Champagne.


Boney himself hasn't got such in his cellar, my boy!"


A goblet of Champagne restored Joseph's equanimity, and before the bottle was emptied, of which as an invalid he took two-thirds, he had agreed to take the young ladies to Vauxhall.

A goblet of Champagne restored Joseph's temper, and before the bottle was emptied, he had agreed to take the young ladies to Vauxhall.


"The girls must have a gentleman apiece," said the old gentleman.

"The girls must have a gentleman each," said the old gentleman.


"Jos will be sure to leave Emmy in the crowd, he will be so taken up with Miss Sharp here.


"Send to 96, and ask George Osborne if he'll come."


At this, I don't know in the least for what reason, Mrs. Sedley looked at her husband and laughed.

At this, Mrs. Sedley looked at her husband and laughed.


Mr. Sedley's eyes twinkled in a manner indescribably roguish, and he looked at Amelia; and Amelia, hanging down her head, blushed as only young ladies of seventeen know how to blush, and as Miss Rebecca Sharp never blushed in her life--at least not since she was eight years old, and when she was caught stealing jam out of a cupboard by her godmother.

Mr. Sedley's eyes twinkled roguishly; and Amelia, hanging down her head, blushed as only young ladies of seventeen know how to blush, and as Miss Rebecca Sharp never had blushed since she was eight years old, when she was caught stealing jam by her godmother.


"Amelia had better write a note," said her father; "and let George Osborne see what a beautiful handwriting we have brought back from Miss Pinkerton's.

"Amelia had better write a note," said her father, "and let George Osborne see what beautiful handwriting we have brought back from Miss Pinkerton's.


Do you remember when you wrote to him to come on Twelfth-night, Emmy, and spelt twelfth without the f?"


"It seems like yesterday, don't it, John?"


said Mrs. Sedley to her husband; and that night in a conversation which took place in a front room in the second floor, in a sort of tent, hung round with chintz of a rich and fantastic India pattern, and double with calico of a tender rose-colour; in the interior of which species of marquee was a featherbed, on which were two pillows, on which were two round red faces, one in a laced nightcap, and one in a simple cotton one, ending in a tassel--in a CURTAIN LECTURE, I say, Mrs. Sedley took her husband to task for his cruel conduct to poor Joe.

said Mrs. Sedley.
That night, in their front room, Mrs. Sedley took her husband to task for his cruel conduct to poor Joseph.


"It was quite wicked of you, Mr. Sedley," said she, "to torment the poor boy so."

"It was quite wicked of you," said she, "to torment the poor boy so."


"My dear," said the cotton-tassel in defence of his conduct, "Jos is a great deal vainer than you ever were in your life, and that's saying a good deal.

"My dear," said he, "Jos is a great deal vainer than you ever were


Though, some thirty years ago, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty--what was it?--perhaps you had a right to be vain--I don't say no.

; though thirty years ago you had a right to be vain.


But I've no patience with Jos and his dandified modesty.


It is out-Josephing Joseph, my dear, and all the while the boy is only thinking of himself, and what a fine fellow he is.

The boy is only thinking of himself, and what a fine fellow he is.


I doubt, Ma'am, we shall have some trouble with him yet.

We shall have some trouble with him, Ma'am.


Here is Emmy's little friend making love to him as hard as she can; that's quite clear; and if she does not catch him some other will.

Here is Emmy's little friend making love to him as hard as she can; and if she does not catch him some other will.


That man is destined to be a prey to woman, as I am to go on 'Change every day.

That man is destined to be a prey to women.


It's a mercy he did not bring us over a black daughter-in-law, my dear.


But, mark my words, the first woman who fishes for him, hooks him."

Mark my words, the first woman who fishes for him, will hook him."


"She shall go off to-morrow, the little artful creature," said Mrs. Sedley, with great energy.

"She shall go off tomorrow, the little artful creature," said Mrs. Sedley.


"Why not she as well as another, Mrs. Sedley?


And presently the voices of the two speakers were hushed, or were replaced by the gentle but unromantic music of the nose; and save when the church bells tolled the hour and the watchman called it, all was silent at the house of John Sedley, Esquire, of Russell Square, and the Stock Exchange.


When morning came, the good-natured Mrs. Sedley no longer thought of executing her threats with regard to Miss Sharp; for though nothing is more keen, nor more common, nor more justifiable, than maternal jealousy, yet she could not bring herself to suppose that the little, humble, grateful, gentle governess would dare to look up to such a magnificent personage as the Collector of Boggley Wollah.

When morning came, the good-natured Mrs. Sedley no longer thought of sending away Miss Sharp; for she could not bring herself to suppose that the little, humble, grateful governess would dare to look up to such a magnificent personage as the Collector of Boggley Wollah.


The petition, too, for an extension of the young lady's leave of absence had already been despatched, and it would be difficult to find a pretext for abruptly dismissing her.

In any case, the letter asking for the young lady's stay to be extended had already been sent, and it would be difficult to find an excuse for dismissing her.


And as if all things conspired in favour of the gentle Rebecca, the very elements (although she was not inclined at first to acknowledge their action in her behalf) interposed to aid her.

The very elements conspired to favour Rebecca.


For on the evening appointed for the Vauxhall party, George Osborne having come to dinner, and the elders of the house having departed, according to invitation, to dine with Alderman Balls at Highbury Barn, there came on such a thunder-storm as only happens on Vauxhall nights, and as obliged the young people, perforce, to remain at home.

For on the evening of the Vauxhall party, George Osborne having come to dinner, and the elders of the house having gone out to dine, there came on such a thunder-storm as obliged the young people to remain at home.


Mr. Osborne did not seem in the least disappointed at this occurrence.

Mr. Osborne did not seem in the least disappointed.


He and Joseph Sedley drank a fitting quantity of port-wine, tete-a-tete, in the dining-room, during the drinking of which Sedley told a number of his best Indian stories; for he was extremely talkative in man's society; and afterwards Miss Amelia Sedley did the honours of the drawing-room; and these four young persons passed such a comfortable evening together, that they declared they were rather glad of the thunder-storm than otherwise, which had caused them to put off their visit to Vauxhall.

He and Joseph Sedley drank a quantity of port-wine together in the dining-room, while Sedley told a number of his best Indian stories. Afterwards Miss Amelia Sedley did the honours of the drawing-room; and the four young persons passed such a comfortable evening together that they declared they were glad of the thunder-storm.


Osborne was Sedley's godson, and had been one of the family any time these three-and-twenty years.

Osborne was Mr. Sedley's godson, and had been one of the family for three-and-twenty years.


At six weeks old, he had received from John Sedley a present of a silver cup; at six months old, a coral with gold whistle and bells; from his youth upwards he was "tipped" regularly by the old gentleman at Christmas: and on going back to school, he remembered perfectly well being thrashed by Joseph Sedley, when the latter was a big, swaggering hobbadyhoy, and George an impudent urchin of ten years old.

At six weeks old, he had received from John Sedley a present of a silver cup; from his youth he was "tipped" regularly by the old gentleman at Christmas: and he remembered being thrashed by Joseph Sedley, when the latter was a big, swaggering hobbadyhoy, and George an impudent urchin of ten years old.


In a word, George was as familiar with the family as such daily acts of kindness and intercourse could make him.


"Do you remember, Sedley, what a fury you were in, when I cut off the tassels of your Hessian boots, and how Miss--hem!--how Amelia rescued me from a beating, by falling down on her knees and crying out to her brother Jos, not to beat little George?"

"Do you remember, Sedley, what a fury you were in, when I cut off the tassels of your Hessian boots, and how Miss - how Amelia rescued me from a beating, by falling on her knees and crying out to her brother not to beat little George?"


Jos remembered this remarkable circumstance perfectly well, but vowed that he had totally forgotten it.

Jos remembered this perfectly well, but vowed that he had forgotten it.


"Well, do you remember coming down in a gig to Dr. Swishtail's to see me, before you went to India, and giving me half a guinea and a pat on the head?


I always had an idea that you were at least seven feet high, and was quite astonished at your return from India to find you no taller than myself."

I always thought you were at least seven feet high, and was quite astonished at your return to find you no taller than myself."


"How good of Mr. Sedley to go to your school and give you the money!"

"How good of Mr. Sedley to go to your school and give you money!"


exclaimed Rebecca, in accents of extreme delight.


"Yes, and after I had cut the tassels of his boots too.

"Yes, and after I had cut the tassels of his boots, too."


Boys never forget those tips at school, nor the givers."


"I delight in Hessian boots," said Rebecca.


Jos Sedley, who admired his own legs prodigiously, and always wore this ornamental chaussure, was extremely pleased at this remark, though he drew his legs under his chair as it was made.

Jos Sedley, who admired his own legs prodigiously, and always wore Hessians, was extremely pleased at this remark, though he drew his legs under his chair as it was made.


said George Osborne, "you who are so clever an artist, you must make a grand historical picture of the scene of the boots.


Sedley shall be represented in buckskins, and holding one of the injured boots in one hand; by the other he shall have hold of my shirt-frill.

Sedley shall be shown with an injured boot in one hand; the other shall be holding my shirt.


Amelia shall be kneeling near him, with her little hands up; and the picture shall have a grand allegorical title, as the frontispieces have in the Medulla and the spelling-book."

Amelia shall be kneeling with her little hands up; and the picture shall have an allegorical title."


"I shan't have time to do it here," said Rebecca.


And she dropped her voice, and looked so sad and piteous, that everybody felt how cruel her lot was, and how sorry they would be to part with her.

And she dropped her voice, and looked so sad that everybody felt how cruel her lot was, and how sorry they would be to part with her.


"O that you could stay longer, dear Rebecca," said Amelia.

"If only you could stay longer, dear Rebecca," said Amelia.


"That I may be only the more unhap--unwilling to lose you?"

So that I may be only the more unwilling to lose you?"


Amelia began to give way to that natural infirmity of tears which, we have said, was one of the defects of this silly little thing.


George Osborne looked at the two young women with a touched curiosity; and Joseph Sedley heaved something very like a sigh out of his big chest, as he cast his eyes down towards his favourite Hessian boots.

George Osborne looked on with a touched curiosity; and Joseph Sedley heaved something like a sigh, as he cast his eyes down towards his favourite boots.


"Let us have some music, Miss Sedley--Amelia," said George, who felt at that moment an extraordinary, almost irresistible impulse to seize the above-mentioned young woman in his arms, and to kiss her in the face of the company; and she looked at him for a moment, and if I should say that they fell in love with each other at that single instant of time, I should perhaps be telling an untruth, for the fact is that these two young people had been bred up by their parents for this very purpose, and their banns had, as it were, been read in their respective families any time these ten years.

"Let us have some music, Miss Sedley - Amelia," said George, who felt at that moment an extraordinary impulse to seize her in his arms, and to kiss her. Amelia looked at him for a moment, and if I said they fell in love with each other at that instant, I should be telling an untruth, for these two young people had been bred up by their parents for this very purpose, and their marriage had been planned ten years before.


They went off to the piano, which was situated, as pianos usually are, in the back drawing-room; and as it was rather dark, Miss Amelia, in the most unaffected way in the world, put her hand into Mr. Osborne's, who, of course, could see the way among the chairs and ottomans a great deal better than she could.

They went off to the piano, which was in the back drawing-room; and as it was rather dark, Miss Amelia, in the most unaffected way in the world, put her hand into Mr. Osborne's, who, of course, could see a great deal better than she could.


But this arrangement left Mr. Joseph Sedley tete-a-tete with Rebecca, at the drawing-room table, where the latter was occupied in knitting a green silk purse.

But this arrangement left Mr. Joseph Sedley alone with Rebecca, at the drawing-room table, where she was occupied in knitting a green silk purse.


"There is no need to ask family secrets," said Miss Sharp.


"As soon as he gets his company," said Joseph, "I believe the affair is settled.

"I believe the affair is settled," said Joseph.


"And your sister the dearest creature in the world," said Rebecca.

"And your sister is the dearest creature in the world," said Rebecca.


With this, Miss Sharp gave a great sigh.


When two unmarried persons get together, and talk upon such delicate subjects as the present, a great deal of confidence and intimacy is presently established between them.

When two unmarried persons get together, and talk upon such delicate subjects, a great deal of intimacy is established between them.


There is no need of giving a special report of the conversation which now took place between Mr. Sedley and the young lady; for the conversation, as may be judged from the foregoing specimen, was not especially witty or eloquent; it seldom is in private societies, or anywhere except in very high-flown and ingenious novels.

There is no need to report the conversation which now took place between Mr. Sedley and the young lady; for it was not especially witty or eloquent.


As there was music in the next room, the talk was carried on, of course, in a low and becoming tone, though, for the matter of that, the couple in the next apartment would not have been disturbed had the talking been ever so loud, so occupied were they with their own pursuits.

As there was music in the next room, the talk was carried on in a low tone, though the other couple would not have been disturbed by a loud conversation, so preoccupied were they.


Almost for the first time in his life, Mr. Sedley found himself talking, without the least timidity or hesitation, to a person of the other sex.

Almost for the first time in his life, Mr. Sedley found himself talking without timidity to a person of the other sex.


Miss Rebecca asked him a great number of questions about India, which gave him an opportunity of narrating many interesting anecdotes about that country and himself.

Miss Rebecca asked him a great many questions about India, which gave him an opportunity of narrating many interesting anecdotes.


He described the balls at Government House, and the manner in which they kept themselves cool in the hot weather, with punkahs, tatties, and other contrivances; and he was very witty regarding the number of Scotchmen whom Lord Minto, the Governor-General, patronised; and then he described a tiger-hunt; and the manner in which the mahout of his elephant had been pulled off his seat by one of the infuriated animals.

He described the balls at Government House, and how they kept themselves cool in hot weather, with punkahs and other contrivances; and he was very witty about the number of Scotchmen whom Lord Minto, the Governor-General, patronised; and then he described a tiger-hunt, and how the mahout of his elephant had been pulled off his seat by an infuriated tiger.


How delighted Miss Rebecca was at the Government balls, and how she laughed at the stories of the Scotch aides-de-camp, and called Mr. Sedley a sad wicked satirical creature; and how frightened she was at the story of the elephant!

How delighted Miss Rebecca was at the Government balls, and how she laughed at the stories of the Scotch aides-de-camp, and called Mr. Sedley a wicked satirical creature; and how frightened she was at the story of the elephant!


"For your mother's sake, dear Mr. Sedley," she said, "for the sake of all your friends, promise NEVER to go on one of those horrid expeditions."

"For your mother's sake, dear Mr. Sedley," she said, "promise never to go on one of those horrid expeditions."


"Pooh, pooh, Miss Sharp," said he, pulling up his shirt-collars; "the danger makes the sport only the pleasanter."

"Pooh, pooh, Miss Sharp," said he, "the danger makes the sport pleasanter."


He had never been but once at a tiger-hunt, when the accident in question occurred, and when he was half killed--not by the tiger, but by the fright.

He had been only once at a tiger-hunt, when the accident in question occurred, and when he was half killed - not by the tiger, but by fright.


And as he talked on, he grew quite bold, and actually had the audacity to ask Miss Rebecca for whom she was knitting the green silk purse?

As he talked on, he grew quite bold, and actually had the audacity to ask Miss Rebecca for whom she was knitting the green silk purse?


He was quite surprised and delighted at his own graceful familiar manner.

He was quite surprised and delighted at his own graceful manner.


"For any one who wants a purse," replied Miss Rebecca, looking at him in the most gentle winning way.

"For anyone who wants a purse," replied Miss Rebecca, looking at him in the most gentle winning way.


Sedley was going to make one of the most eloquent speeches possible, and had begun--"O Miss Sharp, how--" when some song which was performed in the other room came to an end, and caused him to hear his own voice so distinctly that he stopped, blushed, and blew his nose in great agitation.

Sedley was about to make an eloquent speech, and had begun, "O Miss Sharp, how-" when a song in the other room paused, and made him hear his own voice so distinctly that he stopped, blushed, and blew his nose in great agitation.


"Did you ever hear anything like your brother's eloquence?"


whispered Mr. Osborne to Amelia at the piano.


"The more the better," said Miss Amelia; who, like almost all women who are worth a pin, was a match-maker in her heart, and would have been delighted that Joseph should carry back a wife to India.

"The more the better," said Miss Amelia, who was a match-maker in her heart, and would have been delighted for Joseph to carry back a wife to India.


She had, too, in the course of this few days' constant intercourse, warmed into a most tender friendship for Rebecca, and discovered a million of virtues and amiable qualities in her which she had not perceived when they were at Chiswick together.

She had, too, warmed into a most tender friendship for Rebecca, and discovered a million amiable virtues in her which she had not seen when they were at school.


For the affection of young ladies is of as rapid growth as Jack's bean-stalk, and reaches up to the sky in a night.


It is no blame to them that after marriage this Sehnsucht nach der Liebe subsides.


It is what sentimentalists, who deal in very big words, call a yearning after the Ideal, and simply means that women are commonly not satisfied until they have husbands and children on whom they may centre affections, which are spent elsewhere, as it were, in small change.


Having expended her little store of songs, or having stayed long enough in the back drawing-room, it now appeared proper to Miss Amelia to ask her friend to sing.

Having expended her little store of songs, Amelia asked her friend to sing.


"You would not have listened to me," she said to Mr. Osborne (though she knew she was telling a fib), "had you heard Rebecca first."

"You would not have listened to me," she said to Mr. Osborne, "had you heard Rebecca first."


"I give Miss Sharp warning, though," said Osborne, "that, right or wrong, I consider Miss Amelia Sedley the first singer in the world."

"I give Miss Sharp warning, though," said Osborne, "that, right or wrong, I consider Miss Amelia Sedley the best singer in the world."


"You shall hear," said Amelia; and Joseph Sedley was actually polite enough to carry the candles to the piano.


Osborne hinted that he should like quite as well to sit in the dark; but Miss Sedley, laughing, declined to bear him company any farther, and the two accordingly followed Mr. Joseph.


Rebecca sang far better than her friend (though of course Osborne was free to keep his opinion), and exerted herself to the utmost, and, indeed, to the wonder of Amelia, who had never known her perform so well.

Rebecca sang far better than her friend (though of course Osborne was free to keep his opinion), and exerted herself to the utmost. Amelia had never known her perform so well.


She sang a French song, which Joseph did not understand in the least, and which George confessed he did not understand, and then a number of those simple ballads which were the fashion forty years ago, and in which British tars, our King, poor Susan, blue-eyed Mary, and the like, were the principal themes.

She sang a French song, which Joseph did not understand, and then a number of those simple ballads which were the fashion forty years ago, and in which British tars, our King, blue-eyed Mary, and the like, were the principal themes.


They are not, it is said, very brilliant, in a musical point of view, but contain numberless good-natured, simple appeals to the affections, which people understood better than the milk-and-water lagrime, sospiri, and felicita of the eternal Donizettian music with which we are favoured now-a-days.

They are not very brilliant musically, but contain simple appeals to the affections.


Conversation of a sentimental sort, befitting the subject, was carried on between the songs, to which Sambo, after he had brought the tea, the delighted cook, and even Mrs. Blenkinsop, the housekeeper, condescended to listen on the landing-place.

Sambo, who was bringing the tea, and Mrs. Blenkinsop the housekeeper stopped to listen on the landing.


Among these ditties was one, the last of the concert, and to the following effect:


loud and piercing was the storm, The cottage roof was shelter'd sure, The cottage hearth was bright and warm--An orphan boy the lattice pass'd, And, as he mark'd its cheerful glow, Felt doubly keen the midnight blast, And doubly cold the fallen snow.

loud and piercing was the storm
The cottage roof was shelter'd sure,
The cottage hearth was bright and warm.
An orphan boy the lattice pass'd,
And, as he mark'd its cheerful glow,
Felt doubly keen the midnight blast
And doubly cold the fallen snow.


They mark'd him as he onward prest, With fainting heart and weary limb; Kind voices bade him turn and rest, And gentle faces welcomed him.


The dawn is up--the guest is gone, The cottage hearth is blazing still; Heaven pity all poor wanderers lone!

The dawn is up-the guest is gone
The cottage hearth is blazing still;
Heaven pity all poor wanderers lone


It was the sentiment of the before-mentioned words, "When I'm gone," over again.


As she came to the last words, Miss Sharp's "deep-toned voice faltered."

As she came to the last words, Miss Sharp's voice faltered.


Everybody felt the allusion to her departure, and to her hapless orphan state.

Everybody felt the allusion to her departure, and to her orphan state.


Joseph Sedley, who was fond of music, and soft-hearted, was in a state of ravishment during the performance of the song, and profoundly touched at its conclusion.

Joseph Sedley, who was fond of music, and soft-hearted, was profoundly touched.


If he had had the courage; if George and Miss Sedley had remained, according to the former's proposal, in the farther room, Joseph Sedley's bachelorhood would have been at an end, and this work would never have been written.

If he had had the courage, and George and Miss Sedley had stayed in the other room, Joseph's bachelorhood would have been at an end, and this work would never have been written.


But at the close of the ditty, Rebecca quitted the piano, and giving her hand to Amelia, walked away into the front drawing-room twilight; and, at this moment, Mr. Sambo made his appearance with a tray, containing sandwiches, jellies, and some glittering glasses and decanters, on which Joseph Sedley's attention was immediately fixed.

But at the close of the song, Rebecca quitted the piano, and walked away into the front drawing-room twilight. Mr. Sambo appeared with a tray containing sandwiches, jellies, and glittering glasses and decanters, on which Joseph's attention was immediately fixed.


When the parents of the house of Sedley returned from their dinner-party, they found the young people so busy in talking, that they had not heard the arrival of the carriage, and Mr. Joseph was in the act of saying, "My dear Miss Sharp, one little teaspoonful of jelly to recruit you after your immense--your--your delightful exertions."

When the parents of the house returned from their dinner-party, they found the young people busy talking. Mr. Joseph was just saying, "My dear Miss Sharp, one little teaspoonful of jelly to recruit you after your - your delightful exertions."


said Mr. Sedley; on hearing the bantering of which well-known voice, Jos instantly relapsed into an alarmed silence, and quickly took his departure.

said Mr. Sedley. Jos instantly relapsed into an alarmed silence, and soon departed.


He did not lie awake all night thinking whether or not he was in love with Miss Sharp; the passion of love never interfered with the appetite or the slumber of Mr. Joseph Sedley; but he thought to himself how delightful it would be to hear such songs as those after Cutcherry--what a distinguee girl she was--how she could speak French better than the Governor-General's lady herself--and what a sensation she would make at the Calcutta balls.

He did not lie awake all night thinking whether or not he was in love with Miss Sharp; the passion of love never interfered with his appetite or sleep; but he thought how delightful it would be to hear such songs as those after dinner - how well she could speak French - and what a sensation she would make at the Calcutta balls.


"It's evident the poor devil's in love with me," thought he.


"She is just as rich as most of the girls who come out to India.


I might go farther, and fare worse, egad!"


And in these meditations he fell asleep.


How Miss Sharp lay awake, thinking, will he come or not to-morrow?

How Miss Sharp lay awake, thinking, will he come tomorrow?


To-morrow came, and, as sure as fate, Mr. Joseph Sedley made his appearance before luncheon.

Tomorrow came, and Mr. Joseph Sedley arrived before luncheon.


He had never been known before to confer such an honour on Russell Square.


George Osborne was somehow there already (sadly "putting out" Amelia, who was writing to her twelve dearest friends at Chiswick Mall), and Rebecca was employed upon her yesterday's work.

George Osborne was there already, and Rebecca was knitting her purse.


As Joe's buggy drove up, and while, after his usual thundering knock and pompous bustle at the door, the ex-Collector of Boggley Wollah laboured up stairs to the drawing-room, knowing glances were telegraphed between Osborne and Miss Sedley, and the pair, smiling archly, looked at Rebecca, who actually blushed as she bent her fair ringlets over her knitting.

While the ex-Collector of Boggley Wollah laboured upstairs from his carriage to the drawing-room, knowing glances were telegraphed between Osborne and Miss Sedley. They looked at Rebecca, who actually blushed as she bent her fair ringlets over her knitting.


How her heart beat as Joseph appeared--Joseph, puffing from the staircase in shining creaking boots--Joseph, in a new waistcoat, red with heat and nervousness, and blushing behind his wadded neckcloth.

How her heart beat as Joseph appeared, puffing, in shining creaking boots - Joseph, in a new waistcoat, red with heat and nervousness, and blushing behind his wadded neckcloth.


It was a nervous moment for all; and as for Amelia, I think she was more frightened than even the people most concerned.


Sambo, who flung open the door and announced Mr. Joseph, followed grinning, in the Collector's rear, and bearing two handsome nosegays of flowers, which the monster had actually had the gallantry to purchase in Covent Garden Market that morning--they were not as big as the haystacks which ladies carry about with them now-a-days, in cones of filigree paper; but the young women were delighted with the gift, as Joseph presented one to each, with an exceedingly solemn bow.

Sambo, who announced Mr. Joseph, followed him grinning and bearing two handsome nosegays of flowers, which Joe had actually had the gallantry to buy that morning. The young women were delighted as he presented one to each, with an exceedingly solemn bow.


"Thank you, dear Joseph," said Amelia, quite ready to kiss her brother, if he were so minded.


(And I think for a kiss from such a dear creature as Amelia, I would purchase all Mr. Lee's conservatories out of hand.)


exclaimed Miss Sharp, and smelt them delicately, and held them to her bosom, and cast up her eyes to the ceiling, in an ecstasy of admiration.

exclaimed Miss Sharp. She smelt them delicately, and held them to her bosom, and cast up her eyes in an ecstasy of admiration.


Perhaps she just looked first into the bouquet, to see whether there was a billet-doux hidden among the flowers; but there was no letter.

Perhaps she just looked first into the bouquet, to see whether there was a note hidden among the flowers; but there was none.


"Do they talk the language of flowers at Boggley Wollah, Sedley?"


"Bought 'em at Nathan's; very glad you like 'em; and eh, Amelia, my dear, I bought a pine-apple at the same time, which I gave to Sambo.

"Bought 'em at Nathan's; very glad you like 'em; and Amelia, my dear, I bought a pine-apple at the same time, which I gave to Sambo.


Let's have it for tiffin; very cool and nice this hot weather."


Rebecca said she had never tasted a pine, and longed beyond everything to taste one.

Rebecca said she had never tasted a pineapple, and longed beyond everything to taste one.


I don't know on what pretext Osborne left the room, or why, presently, Amelia went away, perhaps to superintend the slicing of the pine-apple; but Jos was left alone with Rebecca, who had resumed her work, and the green silk and the shining needles were quivering rapidly under her white slender fingers.

I don't know why first Osborne, and then Amelia went out of the room; but Jos was left alone with Rebecca, who had resumed her work; the green silk and the shining needles were quivering rapidly under her white slender fingers.


"What a beautiful, BYOO-OOTIFUL song that was you sang last night, dear Miss Sharp," said the Collector.

"What a beautiful song you sang last night, dear Miss Sharp," said the Collector.


"It made me cry almost; 'pon my honour it did."

"It made me cry almost, 'pon my honour."


"Because you have a kind heart, Mr. Joseph; all the Sedleys have, I think."

"Because you have a kind heart, Mr. Joseph."


"It kept me awake last night, and I was trying to hum it this morning, in bed; I was, upon my honour.

"It kept me awake last night, and I was trying to hum it this morning, upon my honour.


Gollop, my doctor, came in at eleven (for I'm a sad invalid, you know, and see Gollop every day), and, 'gad!

Gollop, my doctor, came in at eleven (for I'm a sad invalid, you know, and see Gollop every day), and, gad!


there I was, singing away like--a robin."

there I was, singing away like - a robin."


No, you, Miss Sharp; my dear Miss Sharp, do sing it."


"Not now, Mr. Sedley," said Rebecca, with a sigh.


"My spirits are not equal to it; besides, I must finish the purse.


And before he had time to ask how, Mr. Joseph Sedley, of the East India Company's service, was actually seated tete-a-tete with a young lady, looking at her with a most killing expression; his arms stretched out before her in an imploring attitude, and his hands bound in a web of green silk, which she was unwinding.

And before he had time to ask how, Mr. Joseph Sedley was actually seated tete-a-tete with a young lady, his arms stretched out in an imploring attitude, and his hands bound in a web of green silk, which she was unwinding.


In this romantic position Osborne and Amelia found the interesting pair, when they entered to announce that tiffin was ready.

In this romantic position Osborne and Amelia found them.


The skein of silk was just wound round the card; but Mr. Jos had never spoken.

The skein of silk was wound round the card; but Mr. Jos had not spoken.


"I am sure he will to-night, dear," Amelia said, as she pressed Rebecca's hand; and Sedley, too, had communed with his soul, and said to himself, "'Gad, I'll pop the question at Vauxhall."

"I am sure he will tonight, dear," Amelia said, as she pressed Rebecca's hand; and Sedley, too, said to himself, "'Gad, I'll pop the question at Vauxhall."


So having prepared the sisters, Dobbin hastened away to the City to perform the rest and more difficult part of the task which he had undertaken.

Dobbin now hastened away to the City to perform the more difficult part of his task.

Chapter 24: In Which Mr. Osborne Takes Down the Family Bible


The idea of facing old Osborne rendered him not a little nervous, and more than once he thought of leaving the young ladies to communicate the secret, which, as he was aware, they could not long retain.

He was nervous at the idea of facing old Osborne, and considered leaving the young ladies to tell the secret.


But he had promised to report to George upon the manner in which the elder Osborne bore the intelligence; so going into the City to the paternal counting-house in Thames Street, he despatched thence a note to Mr. Osborne begging for a half-hour's conversation relative to the affairs of his son George.

But he had promised to report to George on how the elder Osborne bore the news; so, going to the counting-house in Thames Street, he sent a note to Mr. Osborne begging for a half-hour's conversation about his son's affairs.


Dobbin's messenger returned from Mr. Osborne's house of business, with the compliments of the latter, who would be very happy to see the Captain immediately, and away accordingly Dobbin went to confront him.


The Captain, with a half-guilty secret to confess, and with the prospect of a painful and stormy interview before him, entered Mr. Osborne's offices with a most dismal countenance and abashed gait, and, passing through the outer room where Mr. Chopper presided, was greeted by that functionary from his desk with a waggish air which farther discomfited him.

The Captain, expecting a painful and stormy interview, entered Mr. Osborne's offices with a dismal face.


Mr. Chopper winked and nodded and pointed his pen towards his patron's door, and said, "You'll find the governor all right," with the most provoking good humour.

As he passed through the outer room, Mr. Chopper winked and nodded from his desk, saying, "You'll find the governor all right," with provoking good humour.


Osborne rose too, and shook him heartily by the hand, and said, "How do, my dear boy?"

Inside, Osborne rose, shook him heartily by the hand, and said, "How do, my dear boy?"


with a cordiality that made poor George's ambassador feel doubly guilty.

with a cordiality that made poor Dobbin feel doubly guilty.


His hand lay as if dead in the old gentleman's grasp.


He felt that he, Dobbin, was more or less the cause of all that had happened.


It was he had brought back George to Amelia: it was he had applauded, encouraged, transacted almost the marriage which he was come to reveal to George's father: and the latter was receiving him with smiles of welcome; patting him on the shoulder, and calling him "Dobbin, my dear boy."

It was he who had brought back George to Amelia: it was he who had encouraged their marriage; and meanwhile George's father was patting him on the shoulder, and calling him "Dobbin, my dear boy."


The envoy had indeed good reason to hang his head.


Osborne fully believed that Dobbin had come to announce his son's surrender.

Osborne believed that Dobbin had come to announce his son's surrender.


Mr. Chopper and his principal were talking over the matter between George and his father, at the very moment when Dobbin's messenger arrived.

He had been talking over the likelihood of this with Mr. Chopper just before Dobbin arrived.


Both agreed that George was sending in his submission.

Both had been expecting George's submission for some days.


Both had been expecting it for some days--and "Lord!


Mr. Osborne said to his clerk, snapping his big fingers, and jingling all the guineas and shillings in his great pockets as he eyed his subordinate with a look of triumph.

Mr. Osborne said to his clerk, jingling the guineas in his great pockets with triumph.


With similar operations conducted in both pockets, and a knowing jolly air, Osborne from his chair regarded Dobbin seated blank and silent opposite to him.

With a knowing air, Osborne regarded Dobbin seated blank and silent opposite him.


"What a bumpkin he is for a Captain in the army," old Osborne thought.

"What a bumpkin he is for an army Captain," old Osborne thought.


"I wonder George hasn't taught him better manners."


At last Dobbin summoned courage to begin.


"Sir," said he, "I've brought you some very grave news.

"Sir, I've brought you some very grave news.


I have been at the Horse Guards this morning, and there's no doubt that our regiment will be ordered abroad, and on its way to Belgium before the week is over.

I have been at the Horse Guards this morning, and there's no doubt that our regiment will be ordered abroad before the week is over.


And you know, sir, that we shan't be home again before a tussle which may be fatal to many of us."


"My s--, the regiment will do its duty, sir, I daresay," he said.

"The regiment will do its duty, sir, I daresay," said Osborne.


"The French are very strong, sir," Dobbin went on.


"The Russians and Austrians will be a long time before they can bring their troops down.

"The Russians and Austrians will be a long time bringing their troops down.


We shall have the first of the fight, sir; and depend on it Boney will take care that it shall be a hard one."

We shall have the first of the fight, sir; and Boney will take care that it shall be a hard one."


his interlocutor said, uneasy and with a scowl.


"I suppose no Briton's afraid of any d---- Frenchman, hey?"

"I suppose no Briton's afraid of any d___ d Frenchman, hey?"


"I only mean, that before we go, and considering the great and certain risk that hangs over every one of us--if there are any differences between you and George--it would be as well, sir, that--that you should shake hands: wouldn't it?

"I only mean that before we go, if there are any differences between you and George - it would be as well, sir, that you should shake hands.


Should anything happen to him, I think you would never forgive yourself if you hadn't parted in charity."


As he said this, poor William Dobbin blushed crimson, and felt and owned that he himself was a traitor.

As he said this, poor Dobbin blushed, and felt himself a traitor.


But for him, perhaps, this severance need never have taken place.


Why had not George's marriage been delayed?


What call was there to press it on so eagerly?


He felt that George would have parted from Amelia at any rate without a mortal pang.


Amelia, too, MIGHT have recovered the shock of losing him.


It was his counsel had brought about this marriage, and all that was to ensue from it.


Because he loved her so much that he could not bear to see her unhappy: or because his own sufferings of suspense were so unendurable that he was glad to crush them at once--as we hasten a funeral after a death, or, when a separation from those we love is imminent, cannot rest until the parting be over.

Because he loved Amelia so much that he could not bear to see her unhappy.


"You are a good fellow, William," said Mr. Osborne in a softened voice; "and me and George shouldn't part in anger, that is true.


I've done for him as much as any father ever did.

I've done as much for him as any father ever did.


He's had three times as much money from me, as I warrant your father ever gave you.


How I've toiled for him, and worked and employed my talents and energy, I won't say.


Well, I propose to him such a marriage as any nobleman in the land might be proud of--the only thing in life I ever asked him--and he refuses me.

Well, I propose to him such a marriage as a nobleman might be proud of - the only thing in life I ever asked him - and he refuses me.


What do I seek but his good, for which I've been toiling like a convict ever since he was born?


Nobody can say there's anything selfish in me.


As for marrying now, it's out of the question.


Let him and Miss S. make it up, and make out the marriage afterwards, when he comes back a Colonel; for he shall be a Colonel, by G-- he shall, if money can do it.

Let him and Miss S. make it up when he comes back a Colonel; for he shall be a Colonel, by G___, if money can do it.


You've took him out of many a scrape before.


Come along, and dine in Russell Square to-day: both of you.

Come and dine in Russell Square today: both of you.


You'll find a neck of venison, and no questions asked."


This praise and confidence smote Dobbin's heart very keenly.


Every moment the colloquy continued in this tone, he felt more and more guilty.

Every moment Osborne continued, Dobbin felt more and more guilty.


"Sir," said he, "I fear you deceive yourself.


George is much too high-minded a man ever to marry for money.


A threat on your part that you would disinherit him in case of disobedience would only be followed by resistance on his."

A threat on your part to disinherit him would only be followed by resistance on his."


"Why, hang it, man, you don't call offering him eight or ten thousand a year threatening him?"

"Why, hang it, man, you don't call offering him ten thousand a year threatening him?"


Mr. Osborne said, with still provoking good humour.

Mr. Osborne said, still with good humour.


"'Gad, if Miss S. will have me, I'm her man.


I ain't particular about a shade or so of tawny."

I ain't particular about a shade of tawny."


And the old gentleman gave his knowing grin and coarse laugh.

And the old gentleman gave his coarse laugh.


"You forget, sir, previous engagements into which Captain Osborne had entered," the ambassador said, gravely.

"You forget, sir, previous engagements into which Captain Osborne had entered."


You don't mean," Mr. Osborne continued, gathering wrath and astonishment as the thought now first came upon him; "you don't mean that he's such a d---- fool as to be still hankering after that swindling old bankrupt's daughter?

Mr. Osborne continued, with gathering wrath. "You don't mean that he's still hankering after that swindling old bankrupt's daughter?


You've not come here for to make me suppose that he wants to marry HER?

You've not come here to make me suppose that he wants to marry her.


My son and heir marry a beggar's girl out of a gutter.

My son and heir marry a beggar's girl out of a gutter!


D---- him, if he does, let him buy a broom and sweep a crossing.

D___ him - if he does, let him buy a broom and sweep a crossing.


She was always dangling and ogling after him, I recollect now; and I've no doubt she was put on by her old sharper of a father."

She was always dangling after him; and I've no doubt she was put on by her old sharper of a father."


"Mr. Sedley was your very good friend, sir," Dobbin interposed, almost pleased at finding himself growing angry.


"Time was you called him better names than rogue and swindler.


George had no right to play fast and loose--"

George had no right to play fast and loose-"


Why, hang me, those are the very words my gentleman used himself when he gave himself airs, last Thursday was a fortnight, and talked about the British army to his father who made him.

Why, hang me, those are the very words he used himself.


What, it's you who have been a setting of him up--is it?

What, it's you who have been setting him up - is it, Captain?


It's you who want to introduce beggars into my family.


I warrant you she'd go to him fast enough without."

I warrant you she'd go to him fast enough without marriage."


"Sir," said Dobbin, starting up in undisguised anger; "no man shall abuse that lady in my hearing, and you least of all."

"Sir," said Dobbin, starting up in undisguised anger; "no man shall abuse that lady in my hearing."


"O, you're a-going to call me out, are you?


Stop, let me ring the bell for pistols for two.


Mr. George sent you here to insult his father, did he?"


"Mr. Osborne," said Dobbin, with a faltering voice, "it's you who are insulting the best creature in the world.


You had best spare her, sir, for she's your son's wife."


And with this, feeling that he could say no more, Dobbin went away, Osborne sinking back in his chair, and looking wildly after him.

And with this, feeling that he could say no more, Dobbin went away, Osborne sinking back in his chair with a wild look.


A clerk came in, obedient to the bell; and the Captain was scarcely out of the court where Mr. Osborne's offices were, when Mr. Chopper the chief clerk came rushing hatless after him.

The Captain was scarcely out of the court when Mr. Chopper the chief clerk came rushing hatless after him.


Mr. Chopper said, catching the Captain by the skirt.


"He married Miss Sedley five days ago," Dobbin replied.


"I was his groomsman, Mr. Chopper, and you must stand his friend."

"I was his groomsman, Mr. Chopper, and you must be his friend."


"If that's your news, Captain, it's bad.


Dobbin begged Chopper to report progress to him at the hotel where he was stopping, and walked off moodily westwards, greatly perturbed as to the past and the future.

Dobbin begged Chopper to report any progress to him at his hotel, and walked off moodily westwards, greatly perturbed.


When the Russell Square family came to dinner that evening, they found the father of the house seated in his usual place, but with that air of gloom on his face, which, whenever it appeared there, kept the whole circle silent.

When the Russell Square family came to dinner that evening, they found the father of the house seated in his usual place, but with an air of gloom which kept the whole circle silent.


The ladies, and Mr. Bullock who dined with them, felt that the news had been communicated to Mr. Osborne.

The ladies, and Mr. Bullock who dined with them, felt that Mr. Osborne had heard the news.


His dark looks affected Mr. Bullock so far as to render him still and quiet: but he was unusually bland and attentive to Miss Maria, by whom he sat, and to her sister presiding at the head of the table.

Mr. Bullock was unusually bland and attentive to Miss Maria and her sister.


Miss Wirt, by consequence, was alone on her side of the board, a gap being left between her and Miss Jane Osborne.

Miss Wirt was alone on her side of the table,


Now this was George's place when he dined at home; and his cover, as we said, was laid for him in expectation of that truant's return.


Nothing occurred during dinner-time except smiling Mr. Frederick's flagging confidential whispers, and the clinking of plate and china, to interrupt the silence of the repast.

Nothing except Mr. Frederick's whispers, and the clinking of plate and china, interrupted the silence of the meal.


The servants went about stealthily doing their duty.


Mutes at funerals could not look more glum than the domestics of Mr. Osborne The neck of venison of which he had invited Dobbin to partake, was carved by him in perfect silence; but his own share went away almost untasted, though he drank much, and the butler assiduously filled his glass.

Mr. Osborne's share of the venison went away almost untasted, though he drank much, and the butler assiduously filled his glass.


At last, just at the end of the dinner, his eyes, which had been staring at everybody in turn, fixed themselves for a while upon the plate laid for George.

At last, at the end of dinner, his eyes fixed themselves upon the plate laid for George.


He pointed to it presently with his left hand.


His daughters looked at him and did not comprehend, or choose to comprehend, the signal; nor did the servants at first understand it.

His daughters looked at him and did not choose to comprehend the signal; nor did the servants at first understand it.


"Take that plate away," at last he said, getting up with an oath--and with this pushing his chair back, he walked into his own room.

"Take that plate away," he said at last, getting up with an oath, and walking into his own room.


Behind Mr. Osborne's dining-room was the usual apartment which went in his house by the name of the study; and was sacred to the master of the house.

Behind Mr. Osborne's dining-room was his study, which was sacred to the master of the house.


Hither Mr. Osborne would retire of a Sunday forenoon when not minded to go to church; and here pass the morning in his crimson leather chair, reading the paper.

Here he would pass a Sunday morning in his crimson leather chair, reading the paper.


A couple of glazed book-cases were here, containing standard works in stout gilt bindings.


The "Annual Register," the "Gentleman's Magazine," "Blair's Sermons," and "Hume and Smollett."


From year's end to year's end he never took one of these volumes from the shelf; but there was no member of the family that would dare for his life to touch one of the books, except upon those rare Sunday evenings when there was no dinner-party, and when the great scarlet Bible and Prayer-book were taken out from the corner where they stood beside his copy of the Peerage, and the servants being rung up to the dining parlour, Osborne read the evening service to his family in a loud grating pompous voice.

No member of the family dared to touch the books, except upon those rare Sunday evenings when there was no dinner-party. Then the great scarlet Bible and Prayer-book were taken out; and the servants being summoned, Osborne would read the evening service to his family in a loud grating pompous voice.


No member of the household, child, or domestic, ever entered that room without a certain terror.

No member of the household ever entered that room without a certain terror.


Here he checked the housekeeper's accounts, and overhauled the butler's cellar-book.

Here Osborne checked the housekeeper's accounts, and overhauled the butler's cellar-book.


Hence he could command, across the clean gravel court-yard, the back entrance of the stables with which one of his bells communicated, and into this yard the coachman issued from his premises as into a dock, and Osborne swore at him from the study window.


Four times a year Miss Wirt entered this apartment to get her salary; and his daughters to receive their quarterly allowance.


George as a boy had been horsewhipped in this room many times; his mother sitting sick on the stair listening to the cuts of the whip.

George as a boy had been horsewhipped in this room many times, his mother sitting sick on the stair listening to the whip.


The boy was scarcely ever known to cry under the punishment; the poor woman used to fondle and kiss him secretly, and give him money to soothe him when he came out.

The boy scarcely ever cried under the punishment; the poor woman used to kiss him secretly, and give him money to soothe him when he came out.


There was a picture of the family over the mantelpiece, removed thither from the front room after Mrs. Osborne's death--George was on a pony, the elder sister holding him up a bunch of flowers; the younger led by her mother's hand; all with red cheeks and large red mouths, simpering on each other in the approved family-portrait manner.

There was a picture of the family over the mantelpiece. George was on a pony, the elder sister holding a bunch of flowers, the younger led by her mother's hand; all with red cheeks and red mouths, simpering in the approved family-portrait manner.


The mother lay underground now, long since forgotten--the sisters and brother had a hundred different interests of their own, and, familiar still, were utterly estranged from each other.

The mother lay underground now, forgotten - the sisters and brother had a hundred interests of their own, and though familiar, were utterly estranged from each other.


Some few score of years afterwards, when all the parties represented are grown old, what bitter satire there is in those flaunting childish family-portraits, with their farce of sentiment and smiling lies, and innocence so self-conscious and self-satisfied.


Osborne's own state portrait, with that of his great silver inkstand and arm-chair, had taken the place of honour in the dining-room, vacated by the family-piece.


To this study old Osborne retired then, greatly to the relief of the small party whom he left.

To this study old Osborne retired, greatly to the relief of the party whom he left.


When the servants had withdrawn, they began to talk for a while volubly but very low; then they went upstairs quietly, Mr. Bullock accompanying them stealthily on his creaking shoes.

When the servants had withdrawn, they began to talk volubly but very low; then they went upstairs, Mr. Bullock accompanying them stealthily on his creaking shoes.


He had no heart to sit alone drinking wine, and so close to the terrible old gentleman in the study hard at hand.

He had no heart to sit alone so close to the terrible old gentleman in the study.


An hour at least after dark, the butler, not having received any summons, ventured to tap at his door and take him in wax candles and tea.

An hour after dark, the butler ventured to tap at his door and take him in candles and tea.


The master of the house sate in his chair, pretending to read the paper, and when the servant, placing the lights and refreshment on the table by him, retired, Mr. Osborne got up and locked the door after him.

The master sat in his chair, pretending to read the paper, and when the servant left, Mr. Osborne got up and locked the door after him.


This time there was no mistaking the matter; all the household knew that some great catastrophe was going to happen which was likely direly to affect Master George.


In the large shining mahogany escritoire Mr. Osborne had a drawer especially devoted to his son's affairs and papers.

In the large shining mahogany writing-desk Mr. Osborne had a drawer devoted to his son's affairs.


Here he kept all the documents relating to him ever since he had been a boy: here were his prize copy-books and drawing-books, all bearing George's hand, and that of the master: here were his first letters in large round-hand sending his love to papa and mamma, and conveying his petitions for a cake.

Here he kept George's prize copy-books and drawing-books: his first letters in large round-hand sending his love to papa and mamma, and asking for a cake.


His dear godpapa Sedley was more than once mentioned in them.


Curses quivered on old Osborne's livid lips, and horrid hatred and disappointment writhed in his heart, as looking through some of these papers he came on that name.

Curses quivered on old Osborne's livid lips, and horrid disappointment writhed in his heart when he came upon that name.


They were all marked and docketed, and tied with red tape.

The letters were all labelled and tied with red tape.


It was--"From Georgy, requesting 5s., April 23, 18--; answered, April 25"--or "Georgy about a pony, October 13"--and so forth.

"From Georgy, requesting 5s., April 23, 18__"; or "Georgy about a pony, October 13" - and so forth.


In another packet were "Dr. S.'s accounts"--"G.'s tailor's bills and outfits, drafts on me by G. Osborne, jun.," &c.--his letters from the West Indies--his agent's letters, and the newspapers containing his commissions: here was a whip he had when a boy, and in a paper a locket containing his hair, which his mother used to wear.

In another packet were "G.'s tailor's bills," his letters from the West Indies, and the newspapers listing his commissions: and a locket containing his hair, which his mother used to wear.


Turning one over after another, and musing over these memorials, the unhappy man passed many hours.

Turning one over after another, the unhappy man passed many hours.


His dearest vanities, ambitious hopes, had all been here.


Everybody said he was like a nobleman's son.


A royal princess had remarked him, and kissed him, and asked his name in Kew Gardens.

A royal princess had noticed him, and kissed him, and asked his name in Kew Gardens.


Could a prince have been better cared for?


Anything that money could buy had been his son's.


He used to go down on speech-days with four horses and new liveries, and scatter new shillings among the boys at the school where George was: when he went with George to the depot of his regiment, before the boy embarked for Canada, he gave the officers such a dinner as the Duke of York might have sat down to.


Had he ever refused a bill when George drew one?


Many a general in the army couldn't ride the horses he had!


He had the child before his eyes, on a hundred different days when he remembered George after dinner, when he used to come in as bold as a lord and drink off his glass by his father's side, at the head of the table--on the pony at Brighton, when he cleared the hedge and kept up with the huntsman--on the day when he was presented to the Prince Regent at the levee, when all Saint James's couldn't produce a finer young fellow.

He remembered George on a hundred different days - when he used to come in after dinner as bold as a lord and drink from his father's glass - or on the pony at Brighton, when he cleared the hedge and kept up with the huntsman - the day when he was presented to the Prince Regent.


And this, this was the end of all!--to marry a bankrupt and fly in the face of duty and fortune!

And this, this was the end of all! to marry a bankrupt and fly in the face of duty and fortune!


What humiliation and fury: what pangs of sickening rage, balked ambition and love; what wounds of outraged vanity, tenderness even, had this old worldling now to suffer under!

What humiliation and fury: what sickening rage, balked ambition and love; what outraged vanity, tenderness even, had this old man now to suffer!


Having examined these papers, and pondered over this one and the other, in that bitterest of all helpless woe, with which miserable men think of happy past times--George's father took the whole of the documents out of the drawer in which he had kept them so long, and locked them into a writing-box, which he tied, and sealed with his seal.

George's father took all of the documents out of the drawer in which he had kept them so long, and locked them into a writing-box, which he tied, and sealed with his seal.


Then he opened the book-case, and took down the great red Bible we have spoken of a pompous book, seldom looked at, and shining all over with gold.

Then he opened the book-case, and took down the great red Bible, shining all over with gold.


There was a frontispiece to the volume, representing Abraham sacrificing Isaac.

It had a frontispiece representing Abraham sacrificing Isaac.


Here, according to custom, Osborne had recorded on the fly-leaf, and in his large clerk-like hand, the dates of his marriage and his wife's death, and the births and Christian names of his children.

Here, Osborne had recorded on the fly-leaf the dates of his marriage and his wife's death, and the births and names of his children.


Jane came first, then George Sedley Osborne, then Maria Frances, and the days of the christening of each.

Jane came first, then George Sedley Osborne, then Maria Frances.


Taking a pen, he carefully obliterated George's names from the page; and when the leaf was quite dry, restored the volume to the place from which he had moved it.

Taking a pen, he carefully obliterated George's name from the page.


Then he took a document out of another drawer, where his own private papers were kept; and having read it, crumpled it up and lighted it at one of the candles, and saw it burn entirely away in the grate.

Then he took a document out of another drawer, where his own private papers were kept; and having read it, crumpled it up and lit it at one of the candles, and saw it burn away in the grate.


It was his will; which being burned, he sate down and wrote off a letter, and rang for his servant, whom he charged to deliver it in the morning.

It was his will. He sat down and wrote a letter, and rang for his servant, whom he ordered to deliver it in the morning.


It was morning already: as he went up to bed, the whole house was alight with the sunshine; and the birds were singing among the fresh green leaves in Russell Square.


Anxious to keep all Mr. Osborne's family and dependants in good humour, and to make as many friends as possible for George in his hour of adversity, William Dobbin, who knew the effect which good dinners and good wines have upon the soul of man, wrote off immediately on his return to his inn the most hospitable of invitations to Thomas Chopper, Esquire, begging that gentleman to dine with him at the Slaughters' next day.

Anxious to keep Mr. Osborne's family and dependants in good humour, and to make as many friends as possible for George, on returning to his inn William Dobbin immediately wrote a hospitable invitation to Mr. Chopper, begging him to dine at the Slaughters' the next day.


The note reached Mr. Chopper before he left the City, and the instant reply was, that "Mr. Chopper presents his respectful compliments, and will have the honour and pleasure of waiting on Captain D." The invitation and the rough draft of the answer were shown to Mrs. Chopper and her daughters on his return to Somers' Town that evening, and they talked about military gents and West End men with great exultation as the family sate and partook of tea.

The invitation, and Mr. Chopper's draft of his acceptance, were shown to Mrs. Chopper that evening. They talked about it with great exultation, and


When the girls had gone to rest, Mr. and Mrs. C. discoursed upon the strange events which were occurring in the governor's family.

discussed the strange events in the Osborne family.


Never had the clerk seen his principal so moved.

Never had the clerk seen his employer so moved.


When he went in to Mr. Osborne, after Captain Dobbin's departure, Mr. Chopper found his chief black in the face, and all but in a fit: some dreadful quarrel, he was certain, had occurred between Mr. O. and the young Captain.

After Captain Dobbin's departure, he had found his chief black in the face, and all but in a fit.


Chopper had been instructed to make out an account of all sums paid to Captain Osborne within the last three years.

Chopper had been instructed to list all sums paid to Captain Osborne within the last three years.


"And a precious lot of money he has had too," the chief clerk said, and respected his old and young master the more, for the liberal way in which the guineas had been flung about.

"And a precious lot of money he has had too," the chief clerk said.


The dispute was something about Miss Sedley.


Mrs. Chopper vowed and declared she pitied that poor young lady to lose such a handsome young fellow as the Capting.


As the daughter of an unlucky speculator, who had paid a very shabby dividend, Mr. Chopper had no great regard for Miss Sedley.


He respected the house of Osborne before all others in the City of London: and his hope and wish was that Captain George should marry a nobleman's daughter.

He respected the house of Osborne before all others: and hoped that Captain George would marry a nobleman's daughter.


The clerk slept a great deal sounder than his principal that night; and, cuddling his children after breakfast (of which he partook with a very hearty appetite, though his modest cup of life was only sweetened with brown sugar), he set off in his best Sunday suit and frilled shirt for business, promising his admiring wife not to punish Captain D.'s port too severely that evening.

The clerk slept a great deal sounder than his employer that night; and, cuddling his children after breakfast, he set off in his best suit, promising his admiring wife not to drink too much of Captain Dobbin's port that evening.


Mr. Osborne's countenance, when he arrived in the City at his usual time, struck those dependants who were accustomed, for good reasons, to watch its expression, as peculiarly ghastly and worn.

Mr. Osborne's face, when he arrived in the City, struck his clerks as peculiarly ghastly and worn.


At twelve o'clock Mr. Higgs (of the firm of Higgs & Blatherwick, solicitors, Bedford Row) called by appointment, and was ushered into the governor's private room, and closeted there for more than an hour.

At twelve o'clock Mr. Higgs, his solicitor, called and was closeted with him for more than an hour.


At about one Mr. Chopper received a note brought by Captain Dobbin's man, and containing an inclosure for Mr. Osborne, which the clerk went in and delivered.

At about one Mr. Chopper received a note brought by Captain Dobbin's man, and containing an enclosure for Mr. Osborne, which the clerk went in and delivered.


A short time afterwards Mr. Chopper and Mr. Birch, the next clerk, were summoned, and requested to witness a paper.

A short time afterwards Mr. Chopper and another clerk were summoned, and requested to witness a paper.


"I've been making a new will," Mr. Osborne said, to which these gentlemen appended their names accordingly.

"I've been making a new will," Mr. Osborne said.


Mr. Higgs looked exceedingly grave as he came into the outer rooms, and very hard in Mr. Chopper's face; but there were not any explanations.

Mr. Higgs looked exceedingly grave as he came out; but there were no explanations.


It was remarked that Mr. Osborne was particularly quiet and gentle all day, to the surprise of those who had augured ill from his darkling demeanour.

It was remarked that Mr. Osborne was surprisingly quiet and gentle all day.


He called no man names that day, and was not heard to swear once.

He called no man names, and was not heard to swear once.


He left business early; and before going away, summoned his chief clerk once more, and having given him general instructions, asked him, after some seeming hesitation and reluctance to speak, if he knew whether Captain Dobbin was in town?

He left work early; and before going away, asked his chief clerk, with some hesitation, if he knew whether Captain Dobbin was in town?


Indeed both of them knew the fact perfectly.


Osborne took a letter directed to that officer, and giving it to the clerk, requested the latter to deliver it into Dobbin's own hands immediately.

Osborne gave the clerk a letter, and requested him to deliver it into Dobbin's own hands immediately.


"And now, Chopper," says he, taking his hat, and with a strange look, "my mind will be easy."

"And now, Chopper," said he with a strange look, "my mind will be easy."


Exactly as the clock struck two (there was no doubt an appointment between the pair) Mr. Frederick Bullock called, and he and Mr. Osborne walked away together.

Then Mr. Frederick Bullock came in, and he and Mr. Osborne walked away together.


The Colonel of the --th regiment, in which Messieurs Dobbin and Osborne had companies, was an old General who had made his first campaign under Wolfe at Quebec, and was long since quite too old and feeble for command; but he took some interest in the regiment of which he was the nominal head, and made certain of his young officers welcome at his table, a kind of hospitality which I believe is not now common amongst his brethren.

The Colonel of the regiment in which Dobbin and Osborne served was an old General who had made his first campaign under Wolfe at Quebec. He was too old and feeble for command; but he took some interest in the regiment of which he was the nominal head, and made certain young officers welcome at his table.


Captain Dobbin was an especial favourite of this old General.


Dobbin was versed in the literature of his profession, and could talk about the great Frederick, and the Empress Queen, and their wars, almost as well as the General himself, who was indifferent to the triumphs of the present day, and whose heart was with the tacticians of fifty years back.

Dobbin knew his military literature, and could talk about past wars almost as well as the General himself.


This officer sent a summons to Dobbin to come and breakfast with him, on the morning when Mr. Osborne altered his will and Mr. Chopper put on his best shirt frill, and then informed his young favourite, a couple of days in advance, of that which they were all expecting--a marching order to go to Belgium.

On this day, the General summoned Dobbin to breakfast with him, and informed him that a marching order to go to Belgium


The order for the regiment to hold itself in readiness would leave the Horse Guards in a day or two; and as transports were in plenty, they would get their route before the week was over.

would come in a day or two, and they would leave before the week was over.


Recruits had come in during the stay of the regiment at Chatham; and the old General hoped that the regiment which had helped to beat Montcalm in Canada, and to rout Mr. Washington on Long Island, would prove itself worthy of its historical reputation on the oft-trodden battle-grounds of the Low Countries.

The old General hoped that the regiment would prove itself worthy of its reputation on the battle-grounds of the Low Countries.


"And so, my good friend, if you have any affaire la," said the old General, taking a pinch of snuff with his trembling white old hand, and then pointing to the spot of his robe de chambre under which his heart was still feebly beating, "if you have any Phillis to console, or to bid farewell to papa and mamma, or any will to make, I recommend you to set about your business without delay."

"And so, my good friend," said the General, taking a pinch of snuff with his trembling old hand, "if you have any Phillis to console, or to bid farewell to papa and mamma, or any will to make, I recommend you to do it without delay."


With which the General gave his young friend a finger to shake, and a good-natured nod of his powdered and pigtailed head; and the door being closed upon Dobbin, sate down to pen a poulet (he was exceedingly vain of his French) to Mademoiselle Amenaide of His Majesty's Theatre.

He gave a good-natured nod of his powdered and pigtailed head.


This news made Dobbin grave, and he thought of our friends at Brighton, and then he was ashamed of himself that Amelia was always the first thing in his thoughts (always before anybody--before father and mother, sisters and duty--always at waking and sleeping indeed, and all day long); and returning to his hotel, he sent off a brief note to Mr. Osborne acquainting him with the information which he had received, and which might tend farther, he hoped, to bring about a reconciliation with George.

This news made Dobbin grave, and he thought of our friends at Brighton, and then felt ashamed that Amelia was always first in his thoughts before anybody - always at waking and sleeping, and indeed all day long. Returning to his hotel, he sent a brief note to old Mr. Osborne with this information, which might, he hoped, bring about a reconciliation with George.


This note, despatched by the same messenger who had carried the invitation to Chopper on the previous day, alarmed the worthy clerk not a little.


It was inclosed to him, and as he opened the letter he trembled lest the dinner should be put off on which he was calculating.


His mind was inexpressibly relieved when he found that the envelope was only a reminder for himself.


("I shall expect you at half-past five," Captain Dobbin wrote.)


He was very much interested about his employer's family; but, que voulez-vous?


a grand dinner was of more concern to him than the affairs of any other mortal.


Dobbin was quite justified in repeating the General's information to any officers of the regiment whom he should see in the course of his peregrinations; accordingly he imparted it to Ensign Stubble, whom he met at the agent's, and who--such was his military ardour--went off instantly to purchase a new sword at the accoutrement-maker's.

Dobbin was permitted to repeat the General's information to any officers of the regiment: so he told Ensign Stubble, whom he met at the outfitters', and who went off instantly to purchase a new sword.


Here this young fellow, who, though only seventeen years of age, and about sixty-five inches high, with a constitution naturally rickety and much impaired by premature brandy and water, had an undoubted courage and a lion's heart, poised, tried, bent, and balanced a weapon such as he thought would do execution amongst Frenchmen.

This young fellow, though only seventeen years of age, and about sixty-five inches high, with a rickety constitution, had undoubted courage; and


and stamping his little feet with tremendous energy, he delivered the point twice or thrice at Captain Dobbin, who parried the thrust laughingly with his bamboo walking-stick.

and stamping his little feet with tremendous energy, he thrust the point at Captain Dobbin, who parried it laughingly with his walking-stick.


Mr. Stubble, as may be supposed from his size and slenderness, was of the Light Bobs.

Mr. Stubble, as may be supposed from his size, was of the Light Bobs.


Ensign Spooney, on the contrary, was a tall youth, and belonged to (Captain Dobbin's) the Grenadier Company, and he tried on a new bearskin cap, under which he looked savage beyond his years.

Ensign Spooney, on the contrary, was a tall youth, and belonged to Captain Dobbin's Grenadier Company. He tried on a new bearskin cap, under which he looked savage beyond his years.


Then these two lads went off to the Slaughters', and having ordered a famous dinner, sate down and wrote off letters to the kind anxious parents at home--letters full of love and heartiness, and pluck and bad spelling.

Then these two lads went off to the Slaughters', and sat down and wrote letters to the anxious parents at home - letters full of love and heartiness, and pluck and bad spelling.


there were many anxious hearts beating through England at that time; and mothers' prayers and tears flowing in many homesteads.

there were many anxious hearts beating through England at that time; and tears flowing in many homesteads.


Seeing young Stubble engaged in composition at one of the coffee-room tables at the Slaughters', and the tears trickling down his nose on to the paper (for the youngster was thinking of his mamma, and that he might never see her again), Dobbin, who was going to write off a letter to George Osborne, relented, and locked up his desk.

Seeing young Stubble writing at one of the coffee-room tables at the Slaughters', and the tears trickling down his nose (for the youngster was thinking that he might never see his mamma again), Dobbin, who was going to write to George Osborne, relented.


I'll go and see my parents early in the morning, and go down to Brighton myself to-morrow."

I'll go and see my parents in the morning, and go down to Brighton myself tomorrow."


So he went up and laid his big hand on young Stubble's shoulder, and backed up that young champion, and told him if he would leave off brandy and water he would be a good soldier, as he always was a gentlemanly good-hearted fellow.

So he went up and laid his big hand on young Stubble's shoulder, and told him if he would leave off brandy and water he would be a good soldier, as he was a gentlemanly good-hearted fellow.


Young Stubble's eyes brightened up at this, for Dobbin was greatly respected in the regiment, as the best officer and the cleverest man in it.


"Thank you, Dobbin," he said, rubbing his eyes with his knuckles, "I was just--just telling her I would.

"Thank you, Dobbin," he said, rubbing his eyes with his knuckles, "I was just - just telling her I would.


The water pumps were at work again, and I am not sure that the soft-hearted Captain's eyes did not also twinkle.


The two ensigns, the Captain, and Mr. Chopper, dined together in the same box.

The two ensigns, the Captain, and Mr. Chopper dined together.