notdisquieted
;
for
,
as
he
said
,
he
knew
where
he
could
put
the
screw
upon
George
,
and
only
waited
the
result
of
that
operation
.
He
told
the
sisters
the
upshot
of
the
dispute
between
them
,
but
ordered
them
to
take
no
notice
of
the
matter
,
and
welcome
George
on
his
return
as
if
nothing
had
happened
.
His
cover
was
laid
as
usual
every
day
,
and
perhaps
the
old
gentleman
rather
anxiously
expected
him
;
but
he
never
came
.
Some
one
inquired
at
the
Slaughters’
regarding
him
,
where
it
was
said
that
he
and
his
friend
Captain
Dobbin
had
left
town
.
One
gusty
,
raw
day
at
the
end
of
April
,
—
the
rain
whipping
the
pavement
of
that
ancient
street
where
the
old
Slaughters’
Coffee-house
was
once
situated
,
—
George
Osborne
came
into
the
coffee-room
,
looking
very
haggard
and
pale
;
although
dressed
rather
smartly
in
a
blue
coat
and
brass
buttons
,
and
a
neat
buff
waistcoat
of
the
fashion
of
those
days
.
Here
was
his
friend
Captain
Dobbin
,
in
blue
and
brass
too
,
having
abandoned
the
military
frock
and
French-grey
trowsers
,
which
were
the
usual
coverings
of
his
lanky
person
.
Dobbin
had
been
in
the
coffee-room
for
an
hour
or
more
.
He
had
tried
all
the
papers
,
but
could
not
read
them
.
He
had
looked
at
the
clock
many
scores
of
times
;
and
at
the
street
,
where
the
rain
was
pattering
down
,
and
the
people
as
they
clinked
by
in
patterns
,
left
long
reflections
on
the
shining
stone
:
he
tattooed
at
the
table
:
he
bit
his
nails
most
completely
,
and
nearly
to
the
quick
(
he
was
accustomed
to
ornament
his
great
big
hands
in
this
way
)
:
he
balanced
the
teaspoon
dexterously
on
the
milk
ju
upset
it
,
etc.
,
etc.
;
and
in
fact
showed
those
signs
of
disquietude
,
and
practised
those
desperate
attempts
at
amusement
,
which
men
are
accustomed
to
employ
when
very
anxious
,
and
expectant
,
and
perturbed
in
mind
.
Some
of
his
comrades
,
gentlemen
who
used
the
room
,
joked
him
about
the
splendour
of
his
costume
and
his
agitation
of
manner
.
One
asked
him
if
he
was
going
to
be
married
?
Dobbin
laughed
,
and
said
he
would
send
his
acquaintance
(
Major
Wagstaff
of
the
Engineers
)
a
piece
of
cake
when
that
event
took
place
.
At
length
Captain
Osborne
made
his
appearance
,
very
smartly
dressed
,
but
very
pale
and
agitated
as
we
have
said
.
He
wiped
his
pale
face
with
a
large
yellow
bandanna
pocket-handkerchief
that
was
prodigiously
scented
.
He
shook
hands
with
Dobbin
,
looked
at
the
clock
,
and
told
John
,
the
waiter
,
to
bring
him
some
curaçoa
.
Of
this
cordial
he
swallowed
off
a
couple
of
glasses
with
nervous
eagerness
.
His
friend
asked
with
some
interest
about
his
health
.
“
Couldn’t
get
a
wink
of
sleep
till
daylight
,
Dob
,
”
said
he
.
“
Infernal
headache
and
fever
.
Got
up
at
nine
,
and
went
down
to
the
Hummums
for
a
bath
.
I
say
,
Dob
,
I
feel
just
as
I
did
on
the
Morning
I
went
out
with
Rocket
at
Quebec
.
”
“
So
do
I
,
”
William
responded
.
“
I
was
a
deuced
deal
more
nervous
than
you
were
that
morning
.
You
made
a
famous
breakfast
,
I
remember
.
Eat
something
now
.
”
“
You’re
a
good
old
fellow
,
Will
.
I’ll
drink
your
health
,
old
boy
,
and
farewell
to
—
”
“
No
,
no
;
two
glasses
are
enough
,
”
Dobbin
interrupted
him
.
“
Here
,
take
away
the
liqueurs
,
John
.
Have
some
cayenne-pepper
with
your
fowl
.
Make
haste
though
,
for
it
is
time
we
were
there
.
”
It
was
about
half-an-hour
from
twelve
when
this
brief
meeting
and
colloquy
took
place
between
the
two
captains
.
A
coach
,
into
which
Captain
Osborne’s
servant
put
his
master’s
desk
and
dressing-case
,
had
been
in
waiting
for
some
time
;
and
into
this
the
two
gentlemen
hurried
under
an
umbrella
,
and
the
valet
mounted
on
the
box
,
cursing
the
rain
and
the
dampness
of
the
coachman
who
was
steaming
beside
him
.
“
We
shall
find
a
better
trap
than
this
at
the
churchdoor
,
”
says
he
;
“
that’s
a
comfort
.
”
And
the
carriage
drove
on
,
taking
the
road
down
Piccadilly
,
where
Apsley
House
and
St.
George’s
Hospital
wore
red
jackets
still
;
where
there
were
oil-lamps
;
where
Achilles
was
not
yet
born
;
nor
the
Pimlico
arch
raised
;
nor
the
hideous
equestrian
monster
which
pervades
it
and
the
neigbourhood
;
—
and
so
they
drove
down
by
Brompton
to
a
certain
chapel
near
the
Fulham-road
there
.
A
chariot
was
in
waiting
with
four
horses
;
likewise
a
coach
of
the
kind
called
glass
coaches
.
Only
a
very
few
idlers
were
collected
on
account
of
the
dismal
rain
.
“
Hang
it
!
”
said
George
,
“
I
said
only
a
pair
.
”
“
My
master
would
have
four
,
”
said
Mr.
Joseph
Sedley’s
servant
,
who
was
in
waiting
;
and
he
and
Mr.
Osborne’s
man
agreed
as
they
followed
George
and
William
into
the
church
,
that
it
was
a
“
reg’lar
shabby
turn
hout
;
and
with
scarce
so
much
as
a
breakfast
or
a
wedding
faviour
.
”
“
Here
you
are
,
”
said
our
old
friend
,
Jos
Sedley
,
coming
forward
.
“
You’re
five
minutes
late
,
George
,
my
boy
.
What
a
day
,
eh
?
Demmy
,
it’s
like
the
commencement
of
the
rainy
season
in
Bengal
.
But
you’ll
find
my
carriage
is
water-tight
.
Come
along
,
my
mother
and
Emmy
are
in
the
vestry
.
”
Jos
Sedley
was
splendid
.
He
was
fatter
than
ever
.
His
shirt
collars
were
higher
;
his
face
was
redder
;
his
shirt-frill
flaunted
gorgeously
out
of
his
variegated
waistcoat
.
Varnished
boots
were
not
invented
as
yet
;
but
the
Hessians
on
his
beautiful
legs
shone
so
that
they
must
have
been
the
identical
pair
in
which
the
gentleman
in
the
old
picture
used
to
shave
himself
;
and
on
his
light
green
coat
there
bloomed
a
fine
wedding
favour
,
like
a
great
white
spreading
magnolia
.
In
a
word
,
George
had
thrown
the
great
cast
.
He
was
going
to
be
married
.
Hence
his
pallor
and
nervousness
—
his
sleepless
night
and
agitation
in
the
morning
.
I
have
heard
people
who
have
gone
through
the
same
thing
own
to
the
same
emotion
.
After
three
of
four
ceremonies
,
you
get
accustomed
to
it
,
no
doubt
;
but
the
first
dip
,
everybody
allows
,
is
awful
.
The
bride
was
dressed
in
a
brown
silk
pelisse
(
as
Captain
Dobbin
has
since
informed
me
)
,
and
wore
a
straw
bonnet
with
a
pink
ribbon
;
over
the
bonnet
she
had
a
veil
of
white
Chantilly
lace
,
a
gift
from
Mr.
Joseph
Sedley
,
her
brother
.
Captain
Dobbin
himself
had
asked
leave
to
present
her
with
a
gold
chain
and
watch
.
Which
she
sported
on
this
occasion
;
and
her
mother
gave
her
her
diamond
brooch
—
almost
the
only
trinket
which
was
left
to
the
old
lady
.
As
the
service
went
on
,
Mrs.
Sedley
sat
and
whimpered
a
great
deal
in
a
pew
,
consoled
by
the
Irish
maid-servant
and
Mrs.
Clapp
from
the
lodgings
.
Old
Sedley
would
not
be
present
.
Jos
acted
for
his
father
,
giving
away
the
bride
whilst
Captain
Dobbin
stepped
up
as
groom’s-man
to
his
friend
George
.
There
was
nobody
in
the
church
besides
the
officiating
persons
and
the
small
marriage
party
and
their
attendants
.
The
two
valets
sat
aloof
superciliously
.
The
rain
came
rattling
down
on
the
windows
.
In
the
intervals
of
the
service
you
heard
it
,
and
the
sobbing
of
old
Mrs.
Sedley
in
the
pew
.
The
person’s
tones
echoed
sadly
through
the
empty
walls
.
Osborne’s
“
I
will
”
was
sounded
in
very
deep
bass
.
Emmy’s
response
came
fluttering
up
to
her
lips
from
her
heart
,
but
was
scarcely
heard
by
anybody
except
Captain
Dobbin
.
When
the
service
was
completed
,
Jos
Sedley
came
forward
and
kissed
his
sister
,
the
bride
,
for
the
first
time
for
many
months
—
George’s
look
of
gloom
had
gone
,
and
he
seemed
quite
proud
and
radiant
.
“
It’s
your
turn
,
William
,
”
says
he
,
putting
his
hand
fondly
upon
Dobbin’s
shoulder
;
and
Dobbin
went
up
and
touched
Amelia
on
the
cheek
.
Then
they
went
into
the
vestry
and
signed
the
register
.
“
God
bless
you
,
Old
Dobbin
,
”
George
said
,
grasping
him
by
the
hand
,
with
something
very
like
moisture
glistening
in
his
eyes
.
William
replied
only
by
nodding
his
head
.
His
heart
was
too
full
to
say
much
.
“
Write
directly
,
and
come
down
as
soon
as
you
can
,
you
know
,
”
Osborne
said
.
After
Mrs.
Sedley
had
taken
an
hysterical
adieu
of
her
daughter
,
the
pair
went
off
to
the
carriage
.
“
Get
out
of
the
way
,
you
little
devils
,
”
George
cried
to
a
small
crowd
of
damp
urchins
that
were
hanging
about
the
chapel-door
.
The
rain
drove
into
the
bride
and
bride-groom’s
faces
as
they
passed
to
the
chariot
.
The
postilions’
favours
draggled
on
their
dripping
jackets
.
The
few
children
made
a
dismal
cheer
,
as
the
carriage
,
splashing
mud
,
drove
away
.
William
Dobbin
stood
in
the
church-porch
,
looking
at
it
,
a
queer
figure
.
The
small
crew
of
spectators
jeered
him
.
He
was
not
thinking
about
them
or
their
laughter
.
“
Come
home
and
have
some
tiffin
,
Dobbin
,
”
a
voice
cried
behind
him
;
as
a
pudgy
hand
was
laid
on
his
shoulder
,
and
the
honest
fellow’s
reverie
was
interrupted
.
But
the
Captain
had
no
heart
to
go
a
feasting
with
Jos
Sedley
.
He
put
the
weeping
old
lady
and
her
attendants
into
the
carriage
with
Jos
,
and
left
them
without
any
farther
words
passing
.
This
carriage
,
too
,
drove
away
,
and
the
urchins
gave
another
sarcastical
cheer
.
“
Here
,
you
little
beggars
,
Dobbins
said
,
giving
some
sixpences
amongst
them
,
and
then
went
off
by
himself
through
the
rain
.
It
was
all
over
.
They
were
married
,
and
happy
,
he
prayed
God
.
Never
since
he
was
a
boy
had
he
felt
so
miserable
and
so
lonely
.
He
longed
with
a
heartsick
yearning
for
the
first
few
days
to
be
over
,
that
he
might
see
her
again
.
Some
ten
days
after
the
above
ceremony
,
three
young
men
of
our
acquaintance
were
enjoying
that
beautiful
prospect
of
bow
windows
on
the
one
side
and
blue
sea
on
the
other
,
which
Brighton
affords
to
the
traveller
.
Sometimes
it
is
towards
the
ocean
—
smiling
with
countless
dimples
,
speckled
with
white
sails
,
with
a
hundred
bathing-machines
kissing
the
skirt
of
his
blue
garment
—
that
the
Londoner
looks
enraptured
;
sometimes
,
on
the
contrary
,
a
lover
of
human
nature
rather
than
of
prospects
of
any
kind
,
it
is
towards
the
bow
windows
that
he
turns
,
and
that
swarm
of
human
life
which
they
exhibit
.
From
one
issue
the
notes
of
a
piano
,
which
a
young
lady
in
ringlets
practises
six
hours
daily
,
to
the
delight
of
the
fellow-lodgers
;
at
another
,
lovely
Polly
,
the
nursemaid
,
may
be
seen
dandling
Master
Omnium
in
her
arms
:
whilst
Jacob
,
his
papa
,
is
beheld
eating
prawns
,
and
devouring
the
Times
for
breakfast
,
at
the
window
below
.
Yonder
are
the
Misses
Leery
,
who
are
looking
out
for
the
young
officers
of
the
Heavies
,
who
are
pretty
sure
to
be
pacing
the
cliff
;
or
again
it
is
a
City
man
,
with
a
nautical
turn
and
a
telescope
,
the
size
of
a
six-pounder
,
who
has
his
instrument
pointed
seawards
,
so
as
to
command
every
pleasure-boat
,
herring-boat
,
or
bathing-machine
that
comes
to
,
or
quits
,
the
shore
,
etc.
,
etc.
But
have
we
any
leisure
for
a
description
of
Brighton
?
—
for
Brighton
,
a
clean
Naples
with
genteel
lazzaroni
—
for
Brighton
,
that
always
looks
brisk
,
gay
,
and
gaudy
,
like
a
harlequin’s
jacket
—
for
Brighton
,
which
used
to
be
seven
hours
distant
from
London
at
the
time
of
our
story
;
which
is
now
only
a
hundred
minutes
off
;
and
which
may
approach
who
knows
how
much
nearer
,
unless
Joinville
comes
and
untimely
bombards
it
?
“
What
a
monstrous
fine
girl
that
is
in
the
lodgings
over
the
milliner’s
,
”
one
of
these
three
promenaders
remarked
to
the
other
;
“
Gad
,
Crawley
,
did
you
see
what
a
wink
she
gave
me
as
I
passed
?
”
“
Don’t
break
her
heart
,
Jos
,
you
rascal
,
”
said
another
.
“
Don’t
trifle
with
her
affections
,
you
Don
Juan
!
”
“
Get
away
,
”
said
Jos
Sedley
,
quite
pleased
,
and
leering
up
at
the
maid-servant
in
question
with
a
most
killing
ogle
.
Jos
was
even
more
splendid
at
Brighton
than
he
had
been
at
his
sister’s
marriage
.
He
had
brilliant
under-waistcoats
,
any
one
of
which
would
have
set
up
a
moderate
buck
.
He
sported
a
military
frock-coat
,
ornamented
with
frogs
,
knobs
,
black
buttons
,
and
meandering
embroidery
.
He
had
affected
a
military
appearance
and
habits
of
late
;
and
he
walked
with
his
two
friends
,
who
were
of
that
profession
,
clinking
his
bootspurs
,
swaggering
prodigiously
,
and
shooting
death-glances
at
all
the
servant
girls
who
were
worthy
to
be
slain
.
“
What
shall
we
do
,
boys
,
till
the
ladies
return
?
”
the
buck
asked
.
The
ladies
were
out
to
Rottingdean
in
his
carriage
on
a
drive
.
“
Let’s
have
a
game
at
billiards
,
”
one
of
his
friends
said
—
the
tall
one
,
with
lacquered
mustachios
.
“
No
,
dammy
;
no
,
Captain
,
”
Jos
replied
rather
alarmed
.
“
No
billiards
to-day
,
Crawley
,
my
boy
;
yesterday
was
enough
.
”
“
You
play
very
well
,
”
said
Crawley
,
laughing
.
“
Don’t
he
,
Osborne
?
How
well
he
made
that
five
stroke
,
eh
?
”
“
Famous
,
”
Osborne
said
.
“
Jos
is
a
devil
of
a
fellow
at
billiards
,
and
at
everything
else
,
too
.
I
wish
there
were
any
tiger-hunting
about
here
!
we
might
go
and
kill
a
few
before
dinner
.
(
There
goes
a
fine
girl
!
what
an
ankle
,
eh
,
Jos
?
)
Tell
us
that
story
about
the
tiger-hunt
,
and
the
way
you
did
for
him
in
the
jungle
—
it’s
a
wonderful
story
that
,
Crawley
.
”
Here
George
Osborne
gave
a
yawn
.
“
It’s
rather
slow
work
,
”
said
he
,
“
down
here
;
what
shall
we
do
?
”
“
Shall
we
go
and
look
at
some
horses
that
Snaffer’s
just
brought
from
Lewes
fair
?
”
Crawley
said
.
“
Suppose
we
go
and
have
some
jellies
at
Dutton’s
,
”
said
the
rogue
Jos
,
willing
to
kill
two
birds
with
one
stone
.
“
Devilish
fine
gal
at
Dutton’s
.
”
“
Suppose
we
go
and
see
the
Lightning
come
in
,
it’s
just
about
time
?
”
George
said
.
This
advice
prevailing
over
the
stables
and
the
jelly
,
they
turned
towards
the
coach-office
to
witness
the
Lightning’s
arrival
.
As
they
passed
,
they
met
the
carriage
—
Jos
Sedley’s
open
carriage
,
with
its
magnificent
armorial
bearings
—
that
splendid
conveyance
in
which
he
used
to
drive
about
to
Cheltenham
,
majestic
and
solitary
,
with
his
arms
folded
,
and
his
hat
cocked
;
or
,
more
happy
,
with
ladies
by
his
side
.
Two
were
in
the
carriage
now
:
one
a
little
person
,
with
light
hair
,
and
dressed
in
the
height
of
the
fashion
;
the
other
in
a
brown
silk
pelisse
,
and
a
straw
bonnet
with
pink
ribbons
,
with
a
rosy
,
round
,
happy
face
,
that
did
you
good
to
behold
.
She
checked
the
carriage
as
it
neared
the
three
gentlemen
,
after
which
exercise
of
authority
she
looked
rather
nervous
,
and
then
began
to
blush
most
absurdly
.
“
We
have
had
a
delightful
drive
,
George
,
”
she
said
,
“
and
—
and
we’re
so
glad
to
come
back
;
and
,
Joseph
,
don’t
let
him
be
late
.
”
“
Don’t
be
leading
our
husbands
into
mischief
,
Mr.
Sedley
,
you
wicked
,
wicked
man
,
you
,
”
Rebecca
said
,
shaking
at
Jos
a
pretty
little
finger
covered
with
the
neatest
French
kid
glove
.
“
No
billiards
,
no
smoking
,
no
naughtiness
!
”
“
My
dear
Mrs.
Crawley
—
Ah
,
now
!
upon
my
honour
!
”
was
all
Jos
could
ejaculate
by
way
of
reply
;
but
he
managed
to
fall
into
a
tolerable
attitude
,
with
his
head
lying
on
his
shoulder
,
grinning
upwards
at
his
victim
,
with
one
hand
at
his
back
,
which
he
supported
on
his
cane
,
and
the
other
hand
(
the
one
with
the
diamond
ring
)
fumbling
in
his
shirtfrill
and
among
his
under-waistcoats
.
As
the
carriage
drove
off
he
kissed
the
diamond
hand
to
the
fair
ladies
within
.
He
wished
all
Cheltenham
,
all
Chowringhee
,
all
Calcutta
,
could
see
him
in
that
position
,
waving
his
hand
to
such
a
beauty
,
and
in
company
with
such
a
famous
buck
as
Rawdon
Crawley
of
the
Guards
.
Our
young
bride
and
bridegroom
had
chosen
Brighton
as
the
place
where
they
would
pass
the
first
few
days
after
their
marriage
;
and
having
engaged
apartments
at
the
Ship
Inn
,
enjoyed
themselves
there
in
great
comfort
and
quietude
,
until
Jos
presently
joined
them
.
Nor
was
he
the
only
companion
they
found
there
.
As
they
were
coming
into
the
Hotel
from
a
sea-side
walk
one
afternoon
,
on
whom
should
they
light
but
Rebecca
and
her
husband
.
The
recognition
was
immediate
.
Rebecca
flew
into
the
arms
of
her
dearest
friend
.
Crawley
and
Osborne
shook
hands
together
cordially
enough
;
and
Becky
,
in
the
course
of
a
very
few
hours
,
found
means
to
make
the
latter
forget
that
little
unpleasant
passage
of
words
which
had
happened
between
them
.
“
Do
you
remember
the
last
time
we
met
at
Miss
Crawley’s
,
when
I
was
so
rude
to
you
,
dear
Captain
Osborne
?
I
thought
you
seemed
careless
about
dear
Amelia
.
It
was
that
made
me
angry
:
and
so
pert
:
and
so
unkind
:
and
so
ungrateful
.
Do
forgive
me
!
”
Rebecca
said
,
and
she
held
out
her
hand
with
so
frank
and
winning
a
grace
,
that
Osborne
could
not
but
take
it
.
By
humbly
and
frankly
acknowledging
yourself
to
be
in
the
wrong
,
there
is
no
knowing
,
my
son
,
what
good
you
may
do
.
I
knew
once
a
gentleman
and
very
worthy
practitioner
in
Vanity
Fair
,
who
used
to
do
little
wrongs
to
his
neighbours
on
purpose
,
and
in
order
to
apologise
for
them
in
an
open
and
manly
way
afterwards
—
and
what
ensued
?
My
friend
Crocky
Doyle
was
liked
everywhere
,
and
deemed
to
be
rather
impetuous
—
but
the
honestest
fellow
.
Becky’s
humility
passed
for
sincerity
with
George
Osborne
.
These
two
young
couples
had
plenty
of
tales
to
relate
to
each
other
.
The
marriages
of
either
were
discussed
;
and
their
prospects
in
life
canvassed
with
the
greatest
frankness
and
interest
on
both
sides
.
George’s
marriage
was
to
be
made
known
to
his
father
by
his
friend
Captain
Dobbin
;
and
young
Osborne
trembled
rather
for
the
result
of
that
communication
.
Miss
Crawley
,
on
whom
all
Rawdon’s
hopes
depended
,
still
held
out
.
Unable
to
make
an
entry
into
her
house
in
Park
Lane
,
her
affectionate
nephew
and
niece
had
followed
her
to
Brighton
,
where
they
had
emissaries
continually
planted
at
her
door
.
“
I
wish
you
could
see
some
of
Rawdon’s
friends
who
are
always
about
our
door
,
”
Rebecca
said
laughing
.
“
Did
you
ever
see
a
dun
,
my
dear
;
or
a
bailiff
and
his
man
?
Two
of
the
abominable
wretches
watched
all
last
week
at
the
green
grocer’s
opposite
,
and
we
could
not
get
away
until
Sunday
.
If
aunty
does
not
relent
,
what
shall
we
do
?
”
Rawdon
,
with
roars
of
laughter
,
related
a
dozen
amusing
anecdotes
of
his
duns
,
and
Rebecca’s
adroit
treatment
of
them
.
He
vowed
with
a
great
oath
,
that
there
was
no
woman
in
Europe
who
could
talk
a
creditor
over
as
she
could
.
Almost
immediately
after
their
marriage
,
her
practice
had
begun
,
and
her
husband
found
the
immense
value
of
such
a
wife
.
They
had
credit
in
plenty
,
but
they
had
bills
also
in
abundance
,
and
laboured
under
a
scarcity
of
ready
money
.
Did
these
debt-difficulties
affect
Rawdon’s
good
spirits
?
No.
Everybody
in
Vanity
Fair
must
have
remarked
how
well
those
live
who
are
comfortably
and
thoroughly
in
debt
;
how
they
deny
themselves
nothing
;
how
jolly
and
easy
they
are
in
their
minds
.
Rawdon
and
his
wife
had
the
very
best
apartments
at
the
inn
at
Brighton
;
the
landlord
,
as
he
brought
in
the
first
dish
,
bowed
before
them
as
to
his
greatest
customers
:
and
Rawdon
abused
the
dinners
and
wine
with
an
audacity
which
no
grandee
in
the
land
could
surpass
.
Long
custom
,
a
manly
appearance
,
faultless
boots
and
clothes
,
and
a
happy
fierceness
of
manner
,
will
often
help
a
man
as
much
as
a
great
balance
at
the
banker’s
.
The
two
wedding
parties
met
constantly
in
each
other’s
apartments
.
After
two
or
three
nights
the
gentlemen
of
an
evening
had
a
little
piquet
,
as
their
wives
sate
and
chatted
apart
.
This
pastime
,
and
the
arrival
of
Jos
Sedley
who
made
his
appearance
in
his
grand
open
carriage
,
and
who
played
a
few
games
at
billiards
with
Captain
Crawley
,
replenished
Rawdon’s
purse
somewhat
,
and
gave
him
the
benefit
of
that
ready
money
for
which
the
greatest
spirits
are
sometimes
at
a
stand-still
.
So
the
three
gentlemen
walked
down
to
see
the
Lightning
coach
come
in
.
Punctual
to
the
minute
,
the
coach
crowded
inside
and
out
,
the
guard
blowing
his
accustomed
tune
on
the
horn
—
the
Lightning
came
tearing
down
the
street
,
and
pulled
up
at
the
coach-office
.
“
Hullo
!
there’s
old
Dobbin
,
”
George
cried
,
quite
delighted
to
see
his
old
friend
perched
on
the
roof
;
and
whose
promised
visit
to
Brighton
had
been
delayed
until
now
.
“
How
are
you
,
old
fellow
?
Glad
you’re
come
down
.
Emmy
’ll
be
delighted
to
see
you
,
”
Osborne
said
,
shaking
his
comrade
warmly
by
the
hand
as
soon
as
his
descent
from
the
vehicle
was
effected
—
and
then
he
added
,
in
a
lower
and
agitated
voice
,
“
What’s
the
news
?
Have
you
been
in
Russell
Square
?
What
does
the
governor
say
?
Tell
me
everything
.
”
Dobbin
looked
very
pale
and
grave
.
“
I’ve
seen
your
father
,
”
said
he
.
“
How’s
Amelia
—
Mrs.
George
?
I’ll
tell
you
all
the
news
presently
:
but
I’ve
brought
the
great
news
of
all
:
and
that
is
—
—
”
“
Out
with
it
,
old
fellow
,
”
George
said
.
“
We’re
ordered
to
Belgium
.
All
the
army
goes
—
Guards
and
all
.
Heavytop’s
got
the
gout
,
and
is
mad
at
not
being
able
to
move
.
O’Dowd
goes
in
command
,
and
we
embark
from
Chatham
next
week
.
”
This
news
of
war
could
not
but
come
with
a
shock
upon
our
lovers
,
and
cause
all
these
gentlemen
to
look
very
serious
.
XXIII
.
Captain
Dobbin
Proceeds
on
His
Canvass
WHAT
is
the
secret
mesmerism
which
friendship
possesses
,
and
under
the
operation
of
which
a
person
ordinarily
sluggish
,
or
cold
,
or
timid
,
becomes
wise
,
active
,
and
resolute
,
in
another’s
behalf
?
As
Alexis
,
after
a
few
passes
from
Dr.
Elliotson
,
despises
pain
,
reads
with
the
back
of
his
head
,
sees
miles
off
,
looks
into
next
week
,
and
performs
other
wonders
,
of
which
,
in
his
own
private
normal
condition
,
he
is
quite
incapable
;
so
you
see
,
in
the
affairs
of
the
world
and
under
the
magnetism
of
friendship
,
the
modest
man
become
bold
,
the
shy
confident
,
the
lazy
active
,
or
the
impetuous
prudent
and
peaceful
.
What
is
it
,
on
the
other
hand
,
that
makes
the
lawyer
eschew
his
own
cause
,
and
call
in
his
learned
brother
as
an
adviser
?
And
what
causes
the
doctor
,
when
ailing
,
to
send
for
his
rival
,
and
not
sit
down
and
examine
his
own
tongue
in
the
chimney
glass
,
or
write
his
own
prescription
at
his
study-table
?
I
throw
out
these
queries
for
intelligent
readers
to
answer
,
who
know
,
at
once
,
how
credulous
we
are
,
and
how
sceptical
,
how
soft
and
how
obstinate
,
how
firm
for
others
and
how
diffident
about
ourselves
:
meanwhile
,
it
is
certain
that
our
friend
William
Dobbin
,
who
was
personally
of
so
complying
a
disposition
that
if
his
parents
had
pressed
him
much
,
it
is
probably
he
would
have
stepped
down
into
the
kitchen
and
married
the
cook
,
and
who
,
to
further
his
own
interests
,
would
have
found
the
most
insuperable
difficulty
in
walking
across
the
street
,
found
himself
as
busy
and
eager
in
the
conduct
of
George
Osborne’s
affairs
,
as
the
most
selfish
tactician
could
be
in
the
pursuit
of
his
own
.
Whilst
our
friend
George
and
his
young
wife
were
enjoying
the
first
blushing
days
of
the
honeymoon
at
Brighton
,
honest
William
was
left
as
George’s
plenipotentiary
in
London
,
to
transact
all
the
business
part
of
the
marriage
.
His
duty
it
was
to
call
upon
old
Sedley
and
his
wife
,
and
to
keep
the
former
in
good
humour
:
to
draw
Jos
and
his
brother-in-law
nearer
together
,
so
that
Jos’s
position
and
dignity
,
as
collector
of
Boggley
Wollah
,
might
compensate
for
his
father’s
loss
of
station
,
and
tend
to
reconcile
old
Osborne
to
the
alliance
:
and
finally
,
to
communicate
it
to
the
latter
in
such
a
way
as
should
least
irritate
the
old
gentleman
.
Now
,
before
he
faced
the
head
of
the
Osborne
house
with
the
news
which
it
was
his
duty
to
tell
,
Dobbin
bethought
him
that
it
would
be
politic
to
make
friends
of
the
rest
of
the
family
,
and
,
if
possible
,
have
the
ladies
on
his
side
.
They
can’t
be
angry
in
their
hearts
,
thought
he
.
No
woman
ever
was
really
angry
at
a
romantic
marriage
.
A
little
crying
out
,
and
they
must
come
round
to
their
brother
:
when
the
three
of
us
will
lay
siege
to
old
Mr.
Osborne
.
So
this
Machiavellian
captain
of
infantry
cast
about
him
for
some
happy
means
of
stratagem
by
which
he
could
gently
and
gradually
bring
he
Misses
Osborne
to
a
knowledge
of
their
brother’s
secret
.
By
a
little
inquiry
regarding
his
mother’s
engagements
,
he
was
pretty
soon
able
to
find
out
by
whom
of
her
ladyship’s
friends
parties
were
given
at
that
season
;
where
he
would
be
likely
to
meet
Osborne’s
sisters
;
and
,
though
he
had
that
abhorrence
of
routs
and
evening
parties
,
which
many
sensible
men
,
alas
!
entertain
,
he
soon
found
one
where
the
Misses
Osborne
were
to
be
present
.
Making
his
appearance
at
the
ball
,
where
he
danced
a
couple
of
sets
with
both
of
them
,
and
was
prodigiously
polite
,
he
actually
had
the
courage
to
ask
Miss
Osborne
for
a
few
minutes’
conversation
at
an
early
hour
the
next
day
,
when
he
had
,
he
said
,
to
communicate
to
her
news
of
the
very
greatest
interest
.
What
was
it
that
made
her
start
back
,
and
gaze
upon
him
for
a
moment
,
and
then
on
the
ground
at
her
feet
,
and
make
as
if
she
would
faint
on
his
arm
,
had
he
not
by
opportunely
treading
on
her
toes
,
brought
the
young
lady
back
to
self-control
?
Why
was
she
so
violently
agitated
at
Dobbin’s
request
?
This
can
never
be
known
.
But
when
he
came
the
next
day
,
Maria
was
not
in
the
drawing-room
with
her
sister
,
and
Miss
Wirt
went
off
for
the
purpose
of
fetching
the
latter
,
and
the
Captain
and
Miss
Osborne
were
left
together
.
They
were
both
so
silent
that
the
ticktock
of
the
Sacrifice
of
Iphigenia
clock
on
the
mantel-piece
became
quite
rudely
audible
.
“
What
a
nice
party
it
was
last
night
,
”
Miss
Osborne
at
length
began
,
encouragingly
;
“
and
—
and
how
you’re
improved
in
your
dancing
,
Captain
Dobbin
.
Surely
somebody
has
taught
you
,
”
she
added
,
with
amiable
archness
.
“
You
should
see
me
dance
a
reel
with
Mrs.
Major
O’Dowd
of
ours
;
and
a
jig
—
did
you
ever
see
a
jig
?
But
I
think
anybody
could
dance
with
you
,
Miss
Osborne
,
who
dance
so
well
.
”
“
Is
the
Major’s
lady
young
and
beautiful
,
Captain
?
”
the
fair
questioner
continued
.
“
Ah
,
what
a
terrible
thing
it
must
be
to
be
a
soldier’s
wife
!
I
wonder
they
have
any
spirits
to
dance
,
and
in
these
dreadful
times
of
war
,
too
!
O
Captain
Dobbin
,
I
tremble
sometimes
when
I
think
of
our
dearest
George
,
and
the
dangers
of
the
poor
soldier
.
Are
there
many
married
officers
of
the
—
th
,
Captain
Dobbin
?
”
“
Upon
my
word
,
she’s
playing
her
hand
rather
too
openly
,
”
Miss
Wirt
thought
;
but
this
observation
is
merely
parenthetic
,
and
was
not
heard
through
the
crevice
of
the
door
at
which
the
governess
uttered
it
.
“
One
of
our
young
men
is
just
married
,
”
Dobbin
said
,
now
coming
to
the
point
.
“
It
was
a
very
old
attachment
,
and
the
young
couple
are
as
poor
as
church
mice
.
”
“
O
,
how
delightful
!
O
,
how
romantic
!
”
Miss
Osborne
cried
,
as
the
Captain
said
“
old
attachment
”
and
“
poor
”
.
Her
sympathy
encouraged
him
.
“
The
finest
young
fellow
in
the
regiment
,
”
he
continued
.
“
Not
a
braver
or
handsomer
officer
in
the
army
;
and
such
a
charming
wife
!
How
you
would
like
her
!
how
you
will
like
her
when
you
know
her
,
Miss
Osborne
.
”
The
young
lady
thought
the
actual
moment
had
arrived
,
and
that
Dobbin’s
nervousness
which
now
came
on
and
was
visible
in
many
twitchings
of
his
face
,
in
his
manner
of
beating
the
ground
with
his
great
feet
,
in
the
rapid
buttoning
and
unbuttoning
of
his
frock-coat
,
etc.
—
Miss
Osborne
,
I
say
,
thought
that
when
he
had
given
himself
a
little
air
,
he
would
unbosom
himself
entirely
,
and
prepared
eagerly
to
listen
.
And
the
clock
,
in
the
altar
on
which
Iphigenia
was
situated
,
beginning
,
after
a
preparatory
convulsion
,
to
toll
twelve
,
the
mere
tolling
seemed
as
if
it
would
last
until
one
,
so
prolonged
was
the
knell
to
the
anxious
spinster
.
“
But
it’s
not
about
marriage
that
I
came
to
speak
—
that
is
that
marriage
—
that
is
—
no
,
I
mean
—
my
dear
Miss
Osborne
,
it’s
about
our
dear
friend
George
,
”
Dobbin
said
.
“
About
George
?
”
she
said
in
a
tone
so
discomfited
that
Maria
and
Miss
Wirt
laughed
at
the
other
side
of
the
door
,
and
even
that
abandoned
wretch
of
a
Dobbin
felt
inclined
to
smile
himself
;
for
he
was
not
altogether
unconscious
of
the
state
of
affairs
:
George
having
often
bantered
him
gracefully
and
said
,
“
Hang
it
,
Will
,
why
don’t
you
take
old
Jane
?
She’ll
have
you
if
you
ask
her
.
I’ll
bet
you
five
to
two
she
will
.
”
“
Yes
,
about
George
,
then
,
”
he
continued
.
“
There
has
been
a
difference
between
him
and
Mr.
Osborne
.
And
I
regard
him
so
much
—
for
you
know
we
have
been
like
brothers
—
that
I
hope
and
pray
the
quarrel
may
be
settled
.
We
must
go
abroad
,
Miss
Osborne
.
We
may
be
ordered
off
at
a
day’s
warning
.
Who
knows
what
may
happen
in
the
campaign
?
Don’t
be
agitated
,
dear
Miss
Osborne
;
and
those
two
at
least
should
part
friends
.
”
“
There
has
been
no
quarrel
,
Captain
Dobbin
,
except
a
little
usual
scene
with
papa
,
”
the
lady
said
.
“
We
are
expecting
George
back
daily
.
What
papa
wanted
was
only
for
his
good
.
He
has
but
to
come
back
,
and
I’m
sure
all
will
be
well
;
and
dear
Rhoda
,
who
went
away
from
here
in
sad
,
sad
anger
,
I
know
will
forgive
him
.
Woman
forgives
but
too
readily
,
Captain
.
”
“
Such
an
angel
as
you
I
am
sure
would
,
”
Mr.
Dobbin
said
,
with
atrocious
astuteness
.
“
And
no
man
can
pardon
himself
for
giving
a
woman
pain
.
What
would
you
feel
,
if
a
man
were
faithless
to
you
?
”
“
I
should
perish
—
I
should
throw
myself
out
of
window
—
I
should
take
poison
—
I
should
pine
and
die
.
I
know
I
should
,
”
Miss
Osborne
cried
,
who
had
nevertheless
gone
through
one
or
two
affairs
of
the
heart
without
any
idea
of
suicide
.
“
And
there
are
others
,
”
Dobbin
continued
,
“
as
true
and
as
kind-hearted
as
yourself
.
I’m
not
speaking
about
the
West
Indian
heiress
,
Miss
Osborne
,
but
about
a
poor
girl
whom
George
once
loved
,
and
who
was
bred
from
her
childhood
to
think
of
nobody
but
him
.
I’ve
seen
her
in
her
poverty
uncomplaining
,
broken-hearted
,
without
a
fault
.
It
is
of
Miss
Sedley
I
speak
.
Dear
Miss
Osborne
,
can
your
generous
heart
quarrel
with
your
brother
for
being
faithful
to
her
?
Could
his
own
conscience
ever
forgive
him
if
he
deserted
her
?
Be
her
friend
—
she
always
loved
you
—
and
—
and
I
am
come
here
charged
by
George
to
tell
you
that
he
holds
his
engagement
to
her
as
the
most
sacred
duty
he
has
;
and
to
entreat
you
,
at
least
,
to
be
on
his
side
.
”
When
any
strong
emotion
took
possession
of
Mr.
Dobbin
,
and
after
the
first
word
or
two
of
hesitation
,
he
could
speak
with
perfect
fluency
,
and
it
was
evident
that
his
eloquence
on
this
occasion
made
some
impression
upon
the
lady
whom
he
addressed
.
“
Well
,
”
said
she
,
“
this
is
—
most
surprising
—
most
painful
—
most
extraordinary
—
what
will
papa
say
?
—
that
George
should
fling
away
such
a
superb
establishment
as
was
offered
to
him
,
—
but
at
any
rate
he
has
found
a
very
brave
champion
in
you
,
Captain
Dobbin
.
It
is
of
no
use
,
however
,
”
she
continued
,
after
a
pause
;
“
I
feel
for
poor
Miss
Sedley
,
most
certainly
—
most
sincerely
,
you
know
.
We
never
thought
the
match
a
good
one
,
though
we
were
always
very
kind
to
her
here
—
very
.
But
papa
will
never
consent
,
I
am
sure
.
And
a
well
brought
up
young
woman
,
you
know
,
—
with
a
well-regulated
mind
,
must
—
George
must
give
her
up
,
Captain
Dobbin
,
indeed
he
must
.
”
“
Ought
a
man
to
give
up
the
woman
he
loved
,
just
when
misfortune
befel
her
?
”
Dobbin
said
,
holding
out
his
hand
.
“
Dear
Miss
Osborne
,
is
this
the
counsel
I
hear
from
you
?
My
dear
young
lady
!
you
must
befriend
her
.
He
can’t
give
her
up
.
He
must
not
give
her
up
.
Would
a
man
,
think
you
,
give
you
up
if
you
were
poor
?
”
This
adroit
question
touched
the
heart
of
Miss
Jane
Osborne
not
a
little
.
“
I
don’t
know
whether
we
poor
girls
ought
to
believe
what
you
men
say
,
Captain
,
”
she
said
,
“
There
is
that
in
woman’s
tenderness
which
induces
her
to
believe
too
easily
.
I’m
afraid
you
are
cruel
,
cruel
deceivers
,
”
—
and
Dobbin
certainly
thought
he
felt
a
pressure
of
the
hand
which
Miss
Osborne
had
extended
to
him
.
He
dropped
it
in
some
alarm
.
“
Deceivers
!
”
said
he
.
“
No
,
dear
Miss
Osborne
,
all
men
are
not
;
your
brother
is
not
;
George
has
loved
Amelia
Sedley
ever
since
they
were
children
;
no
wealth
would
make
him
marry
any
but
her
.
Ought
he
to
forsake
her
?
Would
you
counsel
him
to
do
so
?
”
What
could
Miss
Jane
say
to
such
a
question
,
and
with
her
own
peculiar
views
?
She
could
not
answer
it
,
so
she
parried
it
by
saying
,
“
Well
,
if
you
are
not
a
deceiver
,
at
least
you
are
very
romantic
;
”
and
Captain
William
let
this
observation
pass
without
challenge
.
At
length
when
,
by
the
help
of
farther
polite
speeches
,
he
deemed
that
Miss
Osborne
was
sufficiently
prepared
to
receive
the
whole
news
,
he
poured
it
into
her
ear
.
“
George
could
not
give
up
Amelia
—
George
was
married
to
her
”
—
and
then
he
related
the
circumstances
of
the
marriage
as
we
know
them
already
;
how
the
poor
girl
would
have
died
had
not
her
lover
kept
his
faith
:
how
old
Sedley
had
refused
all
consent
to
the
match
,
and
a
license
had
been
got
:
and
Jos
Sedley
had
come
from
Cheltenham
to
give
away
the
bride
:
how
they
had
gone
to
Brighton
in
Jos’s
chariot-and-four
to
pass
the
honeymoon
:
and
how
George
counted
on
his
dear
kind
sisters
to
befriend
him
with
their
father
,
as
women
—
so
true
and
tender
as
they
were
—
assuredly
would
do
.
And
so
,
asking
permission
(
readily
granted
)
to
see
her
again
,
and
rightly
conjecturing
that
the
news
he
had
brought
would
be
told
in
the
next
five
minutes
to
the
other
ladies
,
Captain
Dobbin
made
his
bow
and
took
his
leave
.
He
was
scarcely
out
of
the
house
,
when
Miss
Maria
and
Miss
Wirt
rushed
in
to
Miss
Osborne
,
and
the
whole
wonderful
secret
was
imparted
to
them
by
that
lady
.
To
do
them
justice
,
neither
of
the
sisters
was
very
much
displeased
.
There
is
something
about
a
runaway
match
with
which
few
ladies
can
be
seriously
angry
,
and
Amelia
rather
rose
in
their
estimation
,
from
the
spirit
which
she
had
displayed
in
consenting
to
the
union
.
As
they
debated
the
story
,
and
prattled
about
it
,
and
wondered
what
papa
would
do
and
say
,
came
a
loud
knock
as
of
an
avenging
thunder-clap
,
at
the
door
,
which
made
these
conspirators
start
.
It
must
be
papa
,
they
thought
.
But
it
was
not
he
.
It
was
only
Mr.
Frederick
Bullock
,
who
had
come
from
the
City
according
to
appointment
,
to
conduct
the
ladies
to
a
flower-show
.
This
gentleman
,
as
may
be
imagined
,
was
not
kept
long
in
ignorance
of
the
secret
.
But
his
face
,
when
he
heard
it
,
showed
an
amazement
which
was
very
different
to
that
look
of
sentimental
wonder
which
the
countenances
of
the
sisters
wore
.
Mr.
Bullock
was
a
man
of
the
world
,
and
a
junior
partner
of
a
wealthy
firm
.
He
knew
what
money
was
,
and
the
value
of
it
:
and
a
delightful
throb
of
expectation
lighted
up
his
little
eyes
,
and
caused
him
to
smile
on
his
Maria
,
as
he
thought
that
by
this
piece
of
folly
of
Mr.
George’s
she
might
be
worth
thirty
thousand
pounds
more
than
he
had
ever
hoped
to
get
with
her
.
“
Gad
!
Jane
,
”
said
he
,
surveying
even
the
elder
sister
with
some
interest
,
“
Eels
will
be
sorry
he
cried
off
.
You
may
be
a
fifty
thousand
pounder
yet
.
”
The
sisters
had
never
thought
of
the
money
question
up
to
that
moment
,
but
Fred
Bullock
bantered
them
with
graceful
gaiety
about
it
during
their
forenoon’s
excursion
;
and
they
had
risen
not
a
little
in
their
own
esteem
by
the
time
when
,
the
morning
amusement
over
,
they
drove
back
to
dinner
.
And
do
not
let
my
respected
reader
exclaim
against
this
selfishness
as
unnatural
.
It
was
but
this
present
morning
,
as
he
rode
on
the
omnibus
from
Richmond
;
while
it
changed
horses
,
this
present
chronicler
,
being
on
the
roof
,
marked
three
little
children
playing
in
a
puddle
below
,
very
dirty
,
and
friendly
,
and
happy
.
To
these
three
presently
came
another
little
one
.
“
Polly
,
”
says
she
,
“
your
sister’s
got
a
penny
.
”
At
which
the
children
got
up
from
the
puddle
instantly
,
and
ran
off
to
pay
their
court
to
Peggy
.
And
as
the
omnibus
drove
off
,
I
saw
Peggy
with
the
infantine
procession
at
her
tail
,
marching
with
great
dignity
towards
the
stall
of
a
neighbouring
lollipop-woman
.
XXIV
.
In
Which
Mr.
Osborne
Takes
down
the
Family
Bible
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
.
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
.
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
countinghouse
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
.
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
.
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
.
Osborne
rose
too
,
and
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
.
His
hand
lay
as
if
dead
in
the
old
gentelman’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
.
”
The
envoy
had
indeed
good
reason
to
hang
his
head
.
Osborne
fully
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
.
Both
agreed
that
George
was
sending
in
his
submission
.
Both
had
been
expecting
it
for
some
days
—
and
“
Lord
!
Chopper
,
what
a
marriage
we’ll
have
!
”
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
.
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
.
“
What
a
bumpkin
he
is
for
a
Captain
in
the
army
,
”
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
.
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
.
And
you
know
,
sir
,
that
we
shan’t
be
home
again
before
a
tussle
which
may
be
fatal
to
many
of
us
.
”
Osborne
looked
grave
.
“
My
s
—
—
,
the
regiment
will
do
its
duty
,
sir
,
I
daresay
,
”
he
said
.
“
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
.
We
shall
have
the
first
of
the
flight
,
sir
;
and
depend
on
it
Boney
will
take
care
that
it
shall
be
a
hard
one
.
”
“
What
are
you
driving
at
,
Dobbin
?
”
his
interlocutor
said
,
uneasy
and
with
a
scowl
.
“
I
suppose
no
Briton’s
afraid
of
any
d
—
—
Frenchman
,
hay
?
”
“
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
?
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
.
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
.
And
why
was
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
.
“
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
.
Look
here
.
I’ve
done
for
him
as
much
as
any
father
ever
did
.
He’s
had
three
times
as
much
money
from
me
,
as
I
warrant
your
father
ever
gave
you
.
But
I
don’t
brag
about
that
.
How
I’ve
toiled
for
him
,
and
worked
and
employed
my
talents
and
energy
,
I
won’t
say
.
Ask
Chopper
.
Ask
himself
.
Ask
the
City
of
London
.
Well
,
I
proposed
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
.
Am
I
wrong
?
Is
the
quarrel
my
making
?
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
.
Let
him
come
back
.
I
say
,
here’s
my
hand
.
I
say
,
forget
and
forgive
.
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
.
I’m
glad
you’ve
brought
him
round
.
I
know
it’s
you
Dobbin
.
You’ve
took
him
out
of
many
a
scrape
before
.
Let
his
come
.
I
shan’t
be
hard
.
Come
along
,
and
dine
in
Russell
Square
to-day
:
both
of
you
.
The
old
shop
,
the
old
hour
.
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
.
“
Sir
,
”
said
he
,
“
I
fear
you
deceive
yourself
.
I
am
sure
you
do
.
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
.
”
“
Why
,
hang
it
,
man
,
you
don’t
call
offering
him
eight
or
ten
thousand
a
year
threatening
him
?
”
Mr.
Osborne
said
,
with
still
provoking
good
humour
.
“
Gad
,
if
Miss
S.
will
have
me
,
I’m
her
man
.
I
ain’t
particular
about
a
shade
or
so
of
tawny
.
”
And
the
old
gentleman
gave
his
knowing
grin
and
coarse
laugh
.
“
You
forget
,
sir
,
previous
engagements
into
which
Captain
Osborne
had
entered
,
”
the
ambassador
said
,
gravely
.
“
What
engagements
?
What
the
devil
do
you
mean
?
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
?
You’ve
not
come
here
for
to
make
me
suppose
that
he
wants
to
marry
her
?
Marry
her
,
that
is
a
good
one
.
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
.
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
.
”
“
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
.
The
match
was
of
your
making
.
George
had
no
right
to
play
fast
and
loose
—
—
”
“
Fast
and
loose
!
”
howled
out
old
Osborne
.
“
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
.
What
,
it’s
you
who
have
been
a
setting
of
him
up
—
is
it
?
and
my
service
to
you
,
Captain
.
It’s
you
who
want
to
introduce
beggars
into
my
family
.
Thank
you
for
nothing
,
Captain
.
Marry
her
indeed
—
he
,
he
!
why
should
he
?
I
warrant
you
she’d
go
to
him
fast
enough
without
.
”
“
Sir
,
”
said
Dobbin
,
starting
up
in
undisguised
anger
;
“
no
man
shall
abuse
that
lady
in
my
hearing
,
and
you
least
of
all
.
”
“
O
,
your’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
?
”
Osborne
said
,
pulling
at
the
bell-cord
.
“
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
.
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
.
“
For
God’s
sake
,
what
is
it
?
”
Mr.
Chopper
said
,
catching
the
Captain
by
the
skirt
.
“
The
governor’s
in
a
fit
.
What
has
Mr.
George
been
doing
?
”
“
He
married
Miss
Sedley
five
days
ago
,
”
Dobbin
replied
.
“
I
was
his
groomsman
,
Mr.
Chopper
,
and
you
must
stand
his
friend
.
”
The
old
clerk
shook
his
head
.
“
If
that’s
your
news
,
Captain
,
it’s
bad
.
The
governor
will
never
forgive
him
.
”
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
.
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
.
The
ladies
,
and
Mr.
Bullock
who
dined
with
them
,
felt
that
the
news
had
been
communicated
to
Mr.
Osborne
.
His
dark
looks
affected
Mr.
Bullock
so
far
as
to
render
him
still
and
quiet
:
but
he
was
usually
bland
and
attentive
to
Miss
Maria
,
by
whom
he
sat
,
and
to
her
sister
presiding
at
the
head
of
the
table
.
Miss
Wirt
,
by
consequence
,
was
alone
on
her
side
of
the
board
,
a
gap
being
left
between
her
and
Miss
Jane
Osborne
.
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
.
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
.
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
.
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
.
“
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
.
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
.
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
.
A
couple
of
glazed
bookcases
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
