You women are too proud, and sadly lack humility, as Father Mole, I'm sure, would tell my Lady Steyne if he were here. You mustn't give yourselves airs; you must be meek and humble, my blessings.

You women are too proud; you must be meek and humble.


For all Lady Steyne knows, this calumniated, simple, good-humoured Mrs. Crawley is quite innocent--even more innocent than herself.

For all Lady Steyne knows, Mrs. Crawley is even more innocent than herself.

Chapter 49: In Which We Enjoy Three Courses and a Dessert


Her husband's character is not good, but it is as good as Bareacres', who has played a little and not paid a great deal, who cheated you out of the only legacy you ever had and left you a pauper on my hands.

Her husband's character is not good, but it is as good as Bareacres', who has played a little and not paid a great deal, who cheated you out of your legacy and left you a pauper on my hands.


And Mrs. Crawley is not very well-born, but she is not worse than Fanny's illustrious ancestor, the first de la Jones."


"The money which I brought into the family, sir," Lady George cried out--


"You purchased a contingent reversion with it," the Marquis said darkly.


"If Gaunt dies, your husband may come to his honours; your little boys may inherit them, and who knows what besides?


In the meanwhile, ladies, be as proud and virtuous as you like abroad, but don't give ME any airs.


As for Mrs. Crawley's character, I shan't demean myself or that most spotless and perfectly irreproachable lady by even hinting that it requires a defence.

As for Mrs. Crawley's character, I shan't demean myself by even hinting that it needs a defence.


You will be pleased to receive her with the utmost cordiality, as you will receive all persons whom I present in this house.

You will receive her with the utmost cordiality, as you will receive all persons whom I present in this house."


And if I invite all Newgate or all Bedlam here, by ------ they shall be welcome."

"If I invite all Bedlam here, by ___, they shall be welcome."


After this vigorous allocution, to one of which sort Lord Steyne treated his "Hareem" whenever symptoms of insubordination appeared in his household, the crestfallen women had nothing for it but to obey.

The crestfallen women had nothing for it but to obey.


Lady Gaunt wrote the invitation which his Lordship required, and she and her mother-in-law drove in person, and with bitter and humiliated hearts, to leave the cards on Mrs. Rawdon, the reception of which caused that innocent woman so much pleasure.

Lady Gaunt wrote the invitation, and she and her mother-in-law drove in person, and with bitter and humiliated hearts, to leave the cards which gave Mrs. Rawdon so much pleasure.


There were families in London who would have sacrificed a year's income to receive such an honour at the hands of those great ladies.

There were families in London who would have sacrificed a year's income to receive such an honour.


Mrs. Frederick Bullock, for instance, would have gone on her knees from May Fair to Lombard Street, if Lady Steyne and Lady Gaunt had been waiting in the City to raise her up and say, "Come to us next Friday"--not to one of the great crushes and grand balls of Gaunt House, whither everybody went, but to the sacred, unapproachable, mysterious, delicious entertainments, to be admitted to one of which was a privilege, and an honour, and a blessing indeed.

Mrs. Frederick Bullock, for instance, would have gone on her knees from May Fair to Lombard Street, if Lady Steyne and Lady Gaunt had said "Come to us next Friday."


Severe, spotless, and beautiful, Lady Gaunt held the very highest rank in Vanity Fair.

Severe, spotless and beautiful, Lady Blanche Gaunt held the very highest rank in Vanity Fair.


The distinguished courtesy with which Lord Steyne treated her charmed everybody who witnessed his behaviour, caused the severest critics to admit how perfect a gentleman he was, and to own that his Lordship's heart at least was in the right place.

The distinguished courtesy with which Lord Steyne treated her charmed everybody who witnessed his behaviour, and caused the severest critics to admit how perfect a gentleman he was.


The ladies of Gaunt House called Lady Bareacres in to their aid, in order to repulse the common enemy.

The ladies of Gaunt House called Lady Bareacres to their aid to repulse the common enemy.


One of Lady Gaunt's carriages went to Hill Street for her Ladyship's mother, all whose equipages were in the hands of the bailiffs, whose very jewels and wardrobe, it was said, had been seized by those inexorable Israelites. Bareacres Castle was theirs, too, with all its costly pictures, furniture, and articles of vertu--the magnificent Vandykes; the noble Reynolds pictures; the Lawrence portraits, tawdry and beautiful, and, thirty years ago, deemed as precious as works of real genius; the matchless Dancing Nymph of Canova, for which Lady Bareacres had sat in her youth--Lady Bareacres splendid then, and radiant in wealth, rank, and beauty--a toothless, bald, old woman now--a mere rag of a former robe of state.

One of Lady Gaunt's carriages went to Hill Street for her mother, since Lady Bareacres' carriages were in the hands of the bailiffs - as was Bareacres Castle, with all its costly pictures and furniture: the magnificent Vandykes and Reynolds, the Lawrence portraits and the matchless Dancing Nymph, for which Lady Bareacres had sat in her youth - radiant then, but now a toothless, bald old woman, a mere rag of a former robe of state.


Her lord, painted at the same time by Lawrence, as waving his sabre in front of Bareacres Castle, and clothed in his uniform as Colonel of the Thistlewood Yeomanry, was a withered, old, lean man in a greatcoat and a Brutus wig, slinking about Gray's Inn of mornings chiefly and dining alone at clubs. He did not like to dine with Steyne now. They had run races of pleasure together in youth when Bareacres was the winner. But Steyne had more bottom than he and had lasted him out. The Marquis was ten times a greater man now than the young Lord Gaunt of '85, and Bareacres nowhere in the race--old, beaten, bankrupt, and broken down.

Her lord was a lean, withered man in a greatcoat and a Brutus wig, slinking about Gray's Inn, bankrupt and broken down.


He had borrowed too much money of Steyne to find it pleasant to meet his old comrade often.

He had borrowed too much money from Steyne to find it pleasant to meet his old comrade.


The latter, whenever he wished to be merry, used jeeringly to ask Lady Gaunt why her father had not come to see her.

Steyne, whenever he wished to be merry, used jeeringly to ask Lady Gaunt why her father had not come to see her.


"He has not been here for four months," Lord Steyne would say.


"I can always tell by my cheque-book afterwards, when I get a visit from Bareacres.


What a comfort it is, my ladies, I bank with one of my sons' fathers-in-law, and the other banks with me!"


Of the other illustrious persons whom Becky had the honour to encounter on this her first presentation to the grand world, it does not become the present historian to say much.

Of the other illustrious persons whom Becky had the honour to meet on her presentation to the grand world, we shall not say much.


There was his Excellency the Prince of Peterwaradin, with his Princess--a nobleman tightly girthed, with a large military chest, on which the plaque of his order shone magnificently, and wearing the red collar of the Golden Fleece round his neck.

There was his Excellency the Prince of Peterwaradin, with a long, solemn, white face, of whom Becky whispered to Lord Steyne that he must be descended from a sheep.


I think he must be descended from a sheep," Becky whispered to Lord Steyne.


Indeed, his Excellency's countenance, long, solemn, and white, with the ornament round his neck, bore some resemblance to that of a venerable bell-wether.


There was Mr. John Paul Jefferson Jones, titularly attached to the American Embassy and correspondent of the New York Demagogue, who, by way of making himself agreeable to the company, asked Lady Steyne, during a pause in the conversation at dinner, how his dear friend, George Gaunt, liked the Brazils?

There was Mr. John Paul Jefferson Jones, attached to the American Embassy and correspondent of the New York Demagogue, who, to make himself agreeable, asked Lady Steyne how his dear friend, George Gaunt, liked Brazil?


He and George had been most intimate at Naples and had gone up Vesuvius together.


Mr. Jones wrote a full and particular account of the dinner, which appeared duly in the Demagogue.

Mr. Jones wrote a full account of the dinner, which duly appeared in the Demagogue.


He mentioned the names and titles of all the guests, giving biographical sketches of the principal people. He described the persons of the ladies with great eloquence; the service of the table; the size and costume of the servants; enumerated the dishes and wines served; the ornaments of the sideboard; and the probable value of the plate.

He mentioned the names and titles of all the guests; he described the ladies, the table service, the servants' costume, the dishes and wines, and the probable value of the plate.


Such a dinner he calculated could not be dished up under fifteen or eighteen dollars per head.

Such a dinner, he calculated, could not be dished up under fifteen or eighteen dollars per head.


And he was in the habit, until very lately, of sending over proteges, with letters of recommendation to the present Marquis of Steyne, encouraged to do so by the intimate terms on which he had lived with his dear friend, the late lord.


He was most indignant that a young and insignificant aristocrat, the Earl of Southdown, should have taken the pas of him in their procession to the dining-room.

He was most indignant that a young and insignificant aristocrat, the Earl of Southdown, should have overtaken him in their procession to the dining-room.


"Just as I was stepping up to offer my hand to a very pleasing and witty fashionable, the brilliant and exclusive Mrs. Rawdon Crawley,"--he wrote--"the young patrician interposed between me and the lady and whisked my Helen off without a word of apology.

"Just as I was stepping up to offer my hand to the very pleasing and witty Mrs. Rawdon Crawley," he wrote, "the young man whisked the lady off without a word of apology.


I was fain to bring up the rear with the Colonel, the lady's husband, a stout red-faced warrior who distinguished himself at Waterloo, where he had better luck than befell some of his brother redcoats at New Orleans."

I had to bring up the rear with the Colonel, the lady's husband, a stout red-faced warrior who distinguished himself at Waterloo."


The Colonel's countenance on coming into this polite society wore as many blushes as the face of a boy of sixteen assumes when he is confronted with his sister's schoolfellows.

The Colonel on coming into this polite society blushed like a boy of sixteen confronted with his sister's schoolfellows.


It has been told before that honest Rawdon had not been much used at any period of his life to ladies' company.

It has been told before that honest Rawdon was not much used to ladies' company.


With the men at the Club or the mess room, he was well enough; and could ride, bet, smoke, or play at billiards with the boldest of them.


He had had his time for female friendships too, but that was twenty years ago, and the ladies were of the rank of those with whom Young Marlow in the comedy is represented as having been familiar before he became abashed in the presence of Miss Hardcastle.

He had had his time for female friendships, but that was twenty years ago, and the ladies were of a different rank and sort.


The times are such that one scarcely dares to allude to that kind of company which thousands of our young men in Vanity Fair are frequenting every day, which nightly fills casinos and dancing-rooms, which is known to exist as well as the Ring in Hyde Park or the Congregation at St. James's--but which the most squeamish if not the most moral of societies is determined to ignore.


In a word, although Colonel Crawley was now five-and-forty years of age, it had not been his lot in life to meet with a half dozen good women, besides his paragon of a wife.

Although Colonel Crawley was now forty-five, he had not met half a dozen good women besides his paragon of a wife.


All except her and his kind sister Lady Jane, whose gentle nature had tamed and won him, scared the worthy Colonel, and on occasion of his first dinner at Gaunt House he was not heard to make a single remark except to state that the weather was very hot.

All except her, and his kind sister-in-law Lady Jane, scared the worthy Colonel, and during his first dinner at Gaunt House he did not make a single remark except to state that the weather was very hot.


Indeed Becky would have left him at home, but that virtue ordained that her husband should be by her side to protect the timid and fluttering little creature on her first appearance in polite society.

Becky would have left him at home, but virtue ordained that her husband should be by her side to protect the timid little creature on her first appearance in polite society.


On her first appearance Lord Steyne stepped forward, taking her hand, and greeting her with great courtesy, and presenting her to Lady Steyne, and their ladyships, her daughters.

On her arrival Lord Steyne stepped forward. Taking her hand, he greeted her with great courtesy, presenting her to Lady Steyne and her daughters-in-law.


Their ladyships made three stately curtsies, and the elder lady to be sure gave her hand to the newcomer, but it was as cold and lifeless as marble.

Their ladyships made three stately curtsies, and the elder lady gave her hand to the newcomer, but it was as cold and lifeless as marble.


Becky took it, however, with grateful humility, and performing a reverence which would have done credit to the best dancer-master, put herself at Lady Steyne's feet, as it were, by saying that his Lordship had been her father's earliest friend and patron, and that she, Becky, had learned to honour and respect the Steyne family from the days of her childhood.

Becky took it, however, with grateful humility, and explained that his Lordship had been her father's earliest friend and patron, and that she had learned to honour the Steyne family from her childhood.


The fact is that Lord Steyne had once purchased a couple of pictures of the late Sharp, and the affectionate orphan could never forget her gratitude for that favour.

The fact is that Lord Steyne had once purchased a couple of pictures from the late Sharp, and the affectionate orphan could never forget her gratitude.


The Lady Bareacres then came under Becky's cognizance--to whom the Colonel's lady made also a most respectful obeisance: it was returned with severe dignity by the exalted person in question.

Becky then curtseyed to the Lady Bareacres.


"I had the pleasure of making your Ladyship's acquaintance at Brussels, ten years ago," Becky said in the most winning manner.

"I had the pleasure of making your Ladyship's acquaintance at Brussels, ten years ago," she said in the most winning manner.


"I had the good fortune to meet Lady Bareacres at the Duchess of Richmond's ball, the night before the Battle of Waterloo.

"We met at the Duchess of Richmond's ball, the night before the Battle of Waterloo.


And I recollect your Ladyship, and my Lady Blanche, your daughter, sitting in the carriage in the porte-cochere at the Inn, waiting for horses.

And I recollect your Ladyship, and my Lady Blanche, your daughter, sitting in the carriage at the Inn, waiting for horses.


I hope your Ladyship's diamonds are safe."


Everybody's eyes looked into their neighbour's.


The famous diamonds had undergone a famous seizure, it appears, about which Becky, of course, knew nothing.

The famous diamonds had undergone a famous seizure, about which Becky, of course, knew nothing.


Rawdon Crawley retreated with Lord Southdown into a window, where the latter was heard to laugh immoderately, as Rawdon told him the story of Lady Bareacres wanting horses and "knuckling down by Jove," to Mrs. Crawley.


"I think I needn't be afraid of THAT woman," Becky thought. Indeed, Lady Bareacres exchanged terrified and angry looks with her daughter and retreated to a table, where she began to look at pictures with great energy.

"I needn't be afraid of that woman," she thought, as Lady Bareacres exchanged terrified and angry looks with her daughter and retreated to a table.


When the Potentate from the Danube made his appearance, the conversation was carried on in the French language, and the Lady Bareacres and the younger ladies found, to their farther mortification, that Mrs. Crawley was much better acquainted with that tongue, and spoke it with a much better accent than they.

When the Potentate from the Danube made his appearance, the conversation was carried in on French, which, to the mortification of Lady Bareacres and the younger ladies, Mrs. Crawley spoke much better than they.


Becky had met other Hungarian magnates with the army in France in 1816-17.


She asked after her friends with great interest.


The foreign personages thought that she was a lady of great distinction, and the Prince and the Princess asked severally of Lord Steyne and the Marchioness, whom they conducted to dinner, who was that petite dame who spoke so well?

The Prince and Princess of Peterwaradin asked who was that petite dame who spoke so well?


Finally, the procession being formed in the order described by the American diplomatist, they marched into the apartment where the banquet was served, and which, as I have promised the reader he shall enjoy it, he shall have the liberty of ordering himself so as to suit his fancy.

Finally they marched into the apartment where the banquet was served, and which the reader shall have the liberty of ordering himself to suit his fancy.


But it was when the ladies were alone that Becky knew the tug of war would come.


And then indeed the little woman found herself in such a situation as made her acknowledge the correctness of Lord Steyne's caution to her to beware of the society of ladies above her own sphere.

And then indeed the little woman had to acknowledge the correctness of Lord Steyne's caution to beware of the society of ladies above her own sphere.


As they say, the persons who hate Irishmen most are Irishmen; so, assuredly, the greatest tyrants over women are women.

Assuredly, the greatest tyrants over women are women.


When poor little Becky, alone with the ladies, went up to the fire-place whither the great ladies had repaired, the great ladies marched away and took possession of a table of drawings.

When poor little Becky went up to the fire-place where the great ladies had gathered, the great ladies marched away to a table of drawings.


When Becky followed them to the table of drawings, they dropped off one by one to the fire again.

When Becky followed them to the table, they dropped off to the fire again.


She tried to speak to one of the children (of whom she was commonly fond in public places), but Master George Gaunt was called away by his mamma; and the stranger was treated with such cruelty finally, that even Lady Steyne herself pitied her and went up to speak to the friendless little woman.

She tried to speak to one of the children, but Master George Gaunt was called away by his mamma; and the stranger was treated with such cruelty that finally Lady Steyne herself pitied her and went up to speak to the friendless little woman.


"Lord Steyne," said her Ladyship, as her wan cheeks glowed with a blush, "says you sing and play very beautifully, Mrs. Crawley--I wish you would do me the kindness to sing to me."

"Lord Steyne says you sing and play very beautifully, Mrs. Crawley," said her Ladyship, her wan cheeks blushing. "I wish you would do me the kindness to sing."


"I will do anything that may give pleasure to my Lord Steyne or to you," said Rebecca, sincerely grateful, and seating herself at the piano, began to sing.

"I will do anything that may give pleasure to my Lord Steyne or to you," said Rebecca, sincerely grateful, and seating herself at the piano, she began to sing.


She sang religious songs of Mozart, which had been early favourites of Lady Steyne, and with such sweetness and tenderness that the lady, lingering round the piano, sat down by its side and listened until the tears rolled down her eyes.

She sang religious songs by Mozart, which had been early favourites of Lady Steyne, and with such sweetness that the lady sat down by the piano and listened with tears in her eyes.


It is true that the opposition ladies at the other end of the room kept up a loud and ceaseless buzzing and talking, but the Lady Steyne did not hear those rumours.

The opposition ladies at the other end of the room kept up a loud and ceaseless buzzing and talking, but Lady Steyne did not hear.


She was a child again--and had wandered back through a forty years' wilderness to her convent garden. The chapel organ had pealed the same tones, the organist, the sister whom she loved best of the community, had taught them to her in those early happy days. She was a girl once more, and the brief period of her happiness bloomed out again for an hour--she started when the jarring doors were flung open, and with a loud laugh from Lord Steyne, the men of the party entered full of gaiety.

She was a child again, in her convent garden, and the brief period of her happiness bloomed out once more for an hour. She started when the jarring doors were flung open, and with a loud laugh from Lord Steyne, the men entered.


He saw at a glance what had happened in his absence, and was grateful to his wife for once.

Lord Steyne saw at a glance what had happened, and was grateful to his wife for once.


He went and spoke to her, and called her by her Christian name, so as again to bring blushes to her pale face--"My wife says you have been singing like an angel," he said to Becky.

He went and spoke to her, calling her by her Christian name, so as again to bring blushes to her pale face.
"My wife says you have been singing like an angel," he said to Becky.


Now there are angels of two kinds, and both sorts, it is said, are charming in their way.


Whatever the previous portion of the evening had been, the rest of that night was a great triumph for Becky.

The rest of that night was a great triumph for Becky.


She sang her very best, and it was so good that every one of the men came and crowded round the piano.

She sang so well that every one of the men came and crowded round the piano.


The women, her enemies, were left quite alone.


And Mr. Paul Jefferson Jones thought he had made a conquest of Lady Gaunt by going up to her Ladyship and praising her delightful friend's first-rate singing.


Thus all the superior officers being summoned on duty elsewhere, Jos Sedley was left in command of the little colony at Brussels, with Amelia invalided, Isidor, his Belgian servant, and the bonne, who was maid-of-all-work for the establishment, as a garrison under him.

Thus Jos Sedley was left in command of the little colony at Brussels, with Amelia, his Belgian servant Isidor, and the maid-of-all-work as a garrison under him.

Chapter 31: In Which Jos Sedley Takes Care of His Sister


Though he was disturbed in spirit, and his rest destroyed by Dobbin's interruption and the occurrences of the morning, Jos nevertheless remained for many hours in bed, wakeful and rolling about there until his usual hour of rising had arrived.

Despite the morning's events, Jos remained for many hours in bed.


The sun was high in the heavens, and our gallant friends of the --th miles on their march, before the civilian appeared in his flowered dressing-gown at breakfast.

The sun was high before he appeared in his flowered dressing-gown at breakfast.


About George's absence, his brother-in-law was very easy in mind.

Jos was very easy in mind about Osborne's absence.


Perhaps Jos was rather pleased in his heart that Osborne was gone, for during George's presence, the other had played but a very secondary part in the household, and Osborne did not scruple to show his contempt for the stout civilian.

Osborne had openly shown his contempt for him.


But Emmy had always been good and attentive to him.


It was she who ministered to his comforts, who superintended the dishes that he liked, who walked or rode with him (as she had many, too many, opportunities of doing, for where was George?)

It was she who ministered to Jos's comforts, who walked or rode with him (as she had too many opportunities of doing, for where was George?)


and who interposed her sweet face between his anger and her husband's scorn.


Many timid remonstrances had she uttered to George in behalf of her brother, but the former in his trenchant way cut these entreaties short. "I'm an honest man," he said, "and if I have a feeling I show it, as an honest man will. How the deuce, my dear, would you have me behave respectfully to such a fool as your brother?"

She had timidly remonstrated to George on her brother's behalf; but George had said, "I'm an honest man, my dear, so how can I behave respectfully to such a fool as your brother?"


So Jos was pleased with George's absence.


His plain hat, and gloves on a sideboard, and the idea that the owner was away, caused Jos I don't know what secret thrill of pleasure.


"HE won't be troubling me this morning," Jos thought, "with his dandified airs and his impudence."

"He won't be troubling me this morning," he thought, "with his dandified airs and his impudence."


"Put the Captain's hat into the ante-room," he said to Isidor, the servant.

"Put the Captain's hat away," he said to Isidor, the servant.


"Perhaps he won't want it again," replied the lackey, looking knowingly at his master.

"Perhaps he won't want it again," replied Isidor.


He hated George too, whose insolence towards him was quite of the English sort.

He too hated George, who had treated him with insolence.


"And ask if Madame is coming to breakfast," Mr. Sedley said with great majesty, ashamed to enter with a servant upon the subject of his dislike for George.

"Ask if Madame is coming to breakfast," Mr. Sedley said.


The truth is, he had abused his brother to the valet a score of times before.


Madame could not come to breakfast, and cut the tartines that Mr. Jos liked.


Madame was a great deal too ill, and had been in a frightful state ever since her husband's departure, so her bonne said.

She was too ill, and in a frightful state, so her maid said.


Jos showed his sympathy by pouring her out a large cup of tea It was his way of exhibiting kindness: and he improved on this; he not only sent her breakfast, but he bethought him what delicacies she would most like for dinner.

Jos showed his sympathy by pouring Amelia a large cup of tea, and sending her breakfast in.


Isidor, the valet, had looked on very sulkily, while Osborne's servant was disposing of his master's baggage previous to the Captain's departure: for in the first place he hated Mr. Osborne, whose conduct to him, and to all inferiors, was generally overbearing (nor does the continental domestic like to be treated with insolence as our own better-tempered servants do), and secondly, he was angry that so many valuables should be removed from under his hands, to fall into other people's possession when the English discomfiture should arrive.

Isidor had looked on sulkily while Osborne's servant was packing his master's baggage the previous night. He was angry that so many valuables should be removed from under his hands, to fall into other people's possession when the English should be defeated.


Of this defeat he and a vast number of other persons in Brussels and Belgium did not make the slightest doubt.

Of this defeat he and many others in Brussels had no doubt.


The almost universal belief was, that the Emperor would divide the Prussian and English armies, annihilate one after the other, and march into Brussels before three days were over: when all the movables of his present masters, who would be killed, or fugitives, or prisoners, would lawfully become the property of Monsieur Isidor.

They believed that the Emperor would annihilate the Prussian and English armies and march into Brussels within three days. His present masters would be killed, or would fly, and their possessions would lawfully become the property of Monsieur Isidor.


As he helped Jos through his toilsome and complicated daily toilette, this faithful servant would calculate what he should do with the very articles with which he was decorating his master's person.

As he helped Jos through his complicated daily toilette, this faithful servant calculated what he should do with the belongings around him.


He would make a present of the silver essence-bottles and toilet knicknacks to a young lady of whom he was fond; and keep the English cutlery and the large ruby pin for himself.

He would give the silver perfume-bottles to a young lady of whom he was fond; and keep the cutlery and the large ruby pin for himself.


It would look very smart upon one of the fine frilled shirts, which, with the gold-laced cap and the frogged frock coat, that might easily be cut down to suit his shape, and the Captain's gold-headed cane, and the great double ring with the rubies, which he would have made into a pair of beautiful earrings, he calculated would make a perfect Adonis of himself, and render Mademoiselle Reine an easy prey.

It would look very smart upon one of the fine frilled shirts, which, along with the gold-laced cap and the frock coat, the Captain's gold-headed cane, and the great double ring with the rubies, would make him a perfect Adonis.


"How those sleeve-buttons will suit me!"


thought he, as he fixed a pair on the fat pudgy wrists of Mr. Sedley.

thought he, as he fixed a pair on Mr. Sedley's podgy wrists.


"I long for sleeve-buttons; and the Captain's boots with brass spurs, in the next room, corbleu!

"And the Captain's boots with brass spurs, corbleu!


what an effect they will make in the Allee Verte!"


So while Monsieur Isidor with bodily fingers was holding on to his master's nose, and shaving the lower part of Jos's face, his imagination was rambling along the Green Avenue, dressed out in a frogged coat and lace, and in company with Mademoiselle Reine; he was loitering in spirit on the banks, and examining the barges sailing slowly under the cool shadows of the trees by the canal, or refreshing himself with a mug of Faro at the bench of a beer-house on the road to Laeken.

So while Monsieur Isidor was shaving Jos, his imagination was rambling along the Green Avenue, dressed in a frock coat and lace.


But Mr. Joseph Sedley, luckily for his own peace, no more knew what was passing in his domestic's mind than the respected reader, and I suspect what John or Mary, whose wages we pay, think of ourselves.

Luckily Mr. Joseph Sedley knew nothing of what was passing in his domestic's mind.


What our servants think of us!--Did we know what our intimates and dear relations thought of us, we should live in a world that we should be glad to quit, and in a frame of mind and a constant terror, that would be perfectly unbearable.

If we knew what our servants thought of us, it would be unbearable.


So Jos's man was marking his victim down, as you see one of Mr. Paynter's assistants in Leadenhall Street ornament an unconscious turtle with a placard on which is written, "Soup to-morrow."


Amelia's attendant was much less selfishly disposed.


Few dependents could come near that kind and gentle creature without paying their usual tribute of loyalty and affection to her sweet and affectionate nature.

Few people could come near Amelia without feeling loyalty and affection.


And it is a fact that Pauline, the cook, consoled her mistress more than anybody whom she saw on this wretched morning; for when she found how Amelia remained for hours, silent, motionless, and haggard, by the windows in which she had placed herself to watch the last bayonets of the column as it marched away, the honest girl took the lady's hand, and said, Tenez, Madame, est-ce qu'il n'est pas aussi a l'armee, mon homme a moi?

When Pauline, the cook and maid, found her silent and haggard by the window, the honest girl took her hand, and said, "See, Madam, is my man not also in the army?"


with which she burst into tears, and Amelia falling into her arms, did likewise, and so each pitied and soothed the other.

Then she burst into tears, and Amelia, falling into her arms, did likewise, and so each soothed the other.


Several times during the forenoon Mr. Jos's Isidor went from his lodgings into the town, and to the gates of the hotels and lodging-houses round about the Parc, where the English were congregated, and there mingled with other valets, couriers, and lackeys, gathered such news as was abroad, and brought back bulletins for his master's information.

That morning Isidor went into the town, to the hotels and lodging-houses around the Parc, and there mingled with other servants, gathering news to bring back to his master.


Almost all these gentlemen were in heart partisans of the Emperor, and had their opinions about the speedy end of the campaign.

Almost all these servants supported the Emperor, and agreed with him that the English would find their graves in France.


The Emperor's proclamation from Avesnes had been distributed everywhere plentifully in Brussels.


it said, "this is the anniversary of Marengo and Friedland, by which the destinies of Europe were twice decided.


Then, as after Austerlitz, as after Wagram, we were too generous.


We believed in the oaths and promises of princes whom we suffered to remain upon their thrones.


We and they, are we not still the same men?


these same Prussians who are so arrogant to-day, were three to one against you at Jena, and six to one at Montmirail.


Those among you who were prisoners in England can tell their comrades what frightful torments they suffered on board the English hulks.


a moment of prosperity has blinded them, and if they enter into France it will be to find a grave there!"


But the partisans of the French prophesied a more speedy extermination of the Emperor's enemies than this; and it was agreed on all hands that Prussians and British would never return except as prisoners in the rear of the conquering army.


These opinions in the course of the day were brought to operate upon Mr. Sedley.

These opinions were brought back to Mr. Sedley.


He was told that the Duke of Wellington had gone to try and rally his army, the advance of which had been utterly crushed the night before.

He was told that the Duke of Wellington had gone to try and rally his army, whose advance had been utterly crushed the night before.


said Jos, whose heart was pretty stout at breakfast-time.


"The Duke has gone to beat the Emperor as he has beaten all his generals before."

"The Duke has gone to beat the Emperor as he has beaten all his generals."


"His papers are burned, his effects are removed, and his quarters are being got ready for the Duke of Dalmatia," Jos's informant replied.

"His papers are burned, his things are removed, and his quarters are being got ready for the Duke of Dalmatia," Isidor replied.


Milor Duc de Richemont's people are packing up everything.


His Grace has fled already, and the Duchess is only waiting to see the plate packed to join the King of France at Ostend."


"The King of France is at Ghent, fellow," replied Jos, affecting incredulity.

"The King of France is at Ghent, fellow," replied Jos, pretending incredulity.


"He fled last night to Bruges, and embarks today from Ostend.


Those who wish to be safe had better go soon, for the dykes will be opened to-morrow, and who can fly when the whole country is under water?"

Those who wish to be safe had better go soon, for the dykes will be opened tomorrow, and who can fly when the whole country is under water?"


"Nonsense, sir, we are three to one, sir, against any force Boney can bring into the field," Mr. Sedley objected; "the Austrians and the Russians are on their march.

"Nonsense, sir, we are three to one against Boney's force," Mr. Sedley objected; "and the Austrians and the Russians are on the march.


He must, he shall be crushed," Jos said, slapping his hand on the table.


"The Prussians were three to one at Jena, and he took their army and kingdom in a week.

"The Prussians were three to one at Jena, and he took their kingdom in a week.


They were six to one at Montmirail, and he scattered them like sheep.


The Austrian army is coming, but with the Empress and the King of Rome at its head; and the Russians, bah!


No quarter is to be given to the English, on account of their cruelty to our braves on board the infamous pontoons.


Look here, here it is in black and white.


Here's the proclamation of his Majesty the Emperor and King," said the now declared partisan of Napoleon, and taking the document from his pocket, Isidor sternly thrust it into his master's face, and already looked upon the frogged coat and valuables as his own spoil.


Jos was, if not seriously alarmed as yet, at least considerably disturbed in mind.

Jos, if not seriously alarmed, was at least considerably disturbed.


"Give me my coat and cap, sir," said he, "and follow me.

"Give me my coat, sir," said he, "and follow me.


I will go myself and learn the truth of these reports."


Isidor was furious as Jos put on the braided frock.


"Milor had better not wear that military coat," said he; "the Frenchmen have sworn not to give quarter to a single British soldier."

"Milor had better not wear that military coat," said he; "the Frenchmen have sworn not to show mercy to a single British soldier."


said Jos, with a resolute countenance still, and thrust his arm into the sleeve with indomitable resolution, in the performance of which heroic act he was found by Mrs. Rawdon Crawley, who at this juncture came up to visit Amelia, and entered without ringing at the antechamber door.

said Jos resolutely, just as Mrs. Rawdon Crawley entered without ringing. She had come to visit Amelia.


Rebecca was dressed very neatly and smartly, as usual: her quiet sleep after Rawdon's departure had refreshed her, and her pink smiling cheeks were quite pleasant to look at, in a town and on a day when everybody else's countenance wore the appearance of the deepest anxiety and gloom.

Rebecca was dressed very neatly, as usual: and her pink smiling cheeks were pleasant to look at on a day when everybody else's face wore anxiety and gloom.


She laughed at the attitude in which Jos was discovered, and the struggles and convulsions with which the stout gentleman thrust himself into the braided coat.

She laughed at Jos's struggles to thrust himself into the coat.


"Are you preparing to join the army, Mr. Joseph?"


"Is there to be nobody left in Brussels to protect us poor women?"


Jos succeeded in plunging into the coat, and came forward blushing and stuttering out excuses to his fair visitor.

Jos succeeded in plunging into the coat, and stuttered excuses to his fair visitor.


"How was she after the events of the morning--after the fatigues of the ball the night before?"

"How was she after the events of the morning?"


Monsieur Isidor disappeared into his master's adjacent bedroom, bearing off the flowered dressing-gown.


"How good of you to ask," said she, pressing one of his hands in both her own.

"How good of you to ask," said she, pressing one of his hands in her own.


"How cool and collected you look when everybody else is frightened!


It must have been an awful, awful parting."


"You men can bear anything," replied the lady.

"You men can bear anything," she replied.


Own now that you were going to join the army and leave us to our fate.

Admit that you were going to join the army and leave us to our fate.


I know you were--something tells me you were. I was so frightened, when the thought came into my head (for I do sometimes think of you when I am alone, Mr. Joseph), that I ran off immediately to beg and entreat you not to fly from us."

I know you were - I was so frightened, when I thought of it (for I do sometimes think of you when I am alone, Mr. Joseph), that I ran here immediately to beg you not to fly from us."


This speech might be interpreted, "My dear sir, should an accident befall the army, and a retreat be necessary, you have a very comfortable carriage, in which I propose to take a seat."

This speech meant, "My dear sir, should a retreat be necessary, you have a very comfortable carriage, in which I propose to take a seat."


I don't know whether Jos understood the words in this sense.

I don't know whether Jos understood this.


But he was profoundly mortified by the lady's inattention to him during their stay at Brussels.

But he was deeply mortified by her having ignored him at Brussels.


He had never been presented to any of Rawdon Crawley's great acquaintances: he had scarcely been invited to Rebecca's parties; for he was too timid to play much, and his presence bored George and Rawdon equally, who neither of them, perhaps, liked to have a witness of the amusements in which the pair chose to indulge.

He had scarcely ever been invited to Rebecca's parties.


thought Jos, "now she wants me she comes to me.

he thought, "now that she wants me she comes to me.


When there is nobody else in the way she can think about old Joseph Sedley!"

When there is nobody else in the way she can think about Joseph Sedley!"


But besides these doubts he felt flattered at the idea Rebecca expressed of his courage.

But he also felt flattered at Rebecca's talk of his courage.


He blushed a good deal, and put on an air of importance.

Blushing, he put on an air of importance.


"I should like to see the action," he said.


"Every man of any spirit would, you know.


I've seen a little service in India, but nothing on this grand scale."


"You men would sacrifice anything for a pleasure," Rebecca answered.


"Captain Crawley left me this morning as gay as if he were going to a hunting party.


What do any of you care for the agonies and tortures of a poor forsaken woman?

What do any of you care for the agonies of a poor forsaken woman?


(I wonder whether he could really have been going to the troops, this great lazy gourmand?)


dear Mr. Sedley, I have come to you for comfort--for consolation.

dear Mr. Sedley, I have come to you for comfort.


I have been on my knees all the morning.


I tremble at the frightful danger into which our husbands, our friends, our brave troops and allies, are rushing.

I tremble at the frightful danger into which our brave troops are rushing.


And I come here for shelter, and find another of my friends--the last remaining to me--bent upon plunging into the dreadful scene!"

And I come here for shelter, and find my last remaining friends bent upon plunging into the dreadful scene!"


"My dear madam," Jos replied, now beginning to be quite soothed, "don't be alarmed.

"My dear madam," Jos replied, now quite soothed, "don't be alarmed.


I only said I should like to go--what Briton would not? But my duty keeps me here: I can't leave that poor creature in the next room." And he pointed with his finger to the door of the chamber in which Amelia was.

I only said I should like to go - but my duty keeps me here: I can't leave poor Amelia."


Rebecca said, putting her handkerchief to her eyes, and smelling the eau-de-cologne with which it was scented.

Rebecca said, putting her handkerchief to her eyes.


"I have done you injustice: you have got a heart.


Jos said, making a motion as if he would lay his hand upon the spot in question.


"You do me injustice, indeed you do--my dear Mrs. Crawley."

"You do me injustice, my dear Mrs. Crawley."


"I do, now your heart is true to your sister.


But I remember two years ago--when it was false to me!"

But I remember two years ago - when it was false to me!"


Rebecca said, fixing her eyes upon him for an instant, and then turning away into the window.

Rebecca said, turning away to the window.


That organ which he was accused by Rebecca of not possessing began to thump tumultuously.


He recalled the days when he had fled from her, and the passion which had once inflamed him--the days when he had driven her in his curricle: when she had knit the green purse for him: when he had sate enraptured gazing at her white arms and bright eyes.

He recalled the days when he had fled from her, and the passion which had once inflamed him.


"I know you think me ungrateful," Rebecca continued, coming out of the window, and once more looking at him and addressing him in a low tremulous voice.

"I know you think me ungrateful," Rebecca continued, in a low tremulous voice.


"Your coldness, your averted looks, your manner when we have met of late--when I came in just now, all proved it to me.

"Your coldness, your averted looks, proved it to me.


But were there no reasons why I should avoid you?

But there were reasons why I should avoid you.


Let your own heart answer that question.


Do you think my husband was too much inclined to welcome you?

Do you think my husband was inclined to welcome you?


The only unkind words I have ever had from him (I will do Captain Crawley that justice) have been about you--and most cruel, cruel words they were."

The only unkind words I have ever had from him have been about you - and most cruel words they were."


what have I done?" asked Jos in a flurry of pleasure and perplexity; "what have I done--to--to--?"

but I have done nothing," said Jos in a flurry of pleasure and perplexity.


And whatever it might have been once--my heart is all his.

And whatever it might have been once - my heart is all his.


All Jos's blood tingled with delight, as he surveyed this victim to his attractions.


A few adroit words, one or two knowing tender glances of the eyes, and his heart was inflamed again and his doubts and suspicions forgotten.

One or two knowing tender glances of her eyes, and his heart was inflamed again and his doubts forgotten.


From Solomon downwards, have not wiser men than he been cajoled and befooled by women?

Have not wiser men been fooled by women?


"If the worst comes to the worst," Becky thought, "my retreat is secure; and I have a right-hand seat in the barouche."

"If the worst comes to the worst," Becky thought, "I have a seat in his barouche."


There is no knowing into what declarations of love and ardour the tumultuous passions of Mr. Joseph might have led him, if Isidor the valet had not made his reappearance at this minute, and begun to busy himself about the domestic affairs.

There is no knowing what declarations of love Mr. Joseph might have begun, if Isidor the valet had not reappeared.


Jos, who was just going to gasp out an avowal, choked almost with the emotion that he was obliged to restrain.

Jos almost choked with the emotion that he had to restrain.


Rebecca too bethought her that it was time she should go in and comfort her dearest Amelia.

Rebecca thought that it was time for her to comfort her dearest Amelia.


"Au revoir," she said, kissing her hand to Mr. Joseph, and tapped gently at the door of his sister's apartment.

"Au revoir," she said, kissing her hand to Jos, and tapped gently at Amelia's door.


As she entered and closed the door on herself, he sank down in a chair, and gazed and sighed and puffed portentously.

As she entered and closed the door on herself, he sank down in a chair, and sighed.


"That coat is very tight for Milor," Isidor said, still having his eye on the frogs; but his master heard him not: his thoughts were elsewhere: now glowing, maddening, upon the contemplation of the enchanting Rebecca: anon shrinking guiltily before the vision of the jealous Rawdon Crawley, with his curling, fierce mustachios, and his terrible duelling pistols loaded and cocked.

"That coat is very tight for Milor," Isidor said; but his master heard him not. His thoughts were glowing in contemplation of the enchanting Rebecca: then shrinking guiltily before the vision of the jealous Rawdon Crawley, with his fierce mustachios, and his terrible duelling pistols.


Rebecca's appearance struck Amelia with terror, and made her shrink back.

Rebecca's appearance struck Amelia with terror.


It recalled her to the world and the remembrance of yesterday.

It recalled her to the memory of yesterday.


In the overpowering fears about to-morrow she had forgotten Rebecca--jealousy--everything except that her husband was gone and was in danger.

In her fears she had forgotten Rebecca and her jealousy.


Until this dauntless worldling came in and broke the spell, and lifted the latch, we too have forborne to enter into that sad chamber.


How long had that poor girl been on her knees!


what hours of speechless prayer and bitter prostration had she passed there!

what hours of speechless prayer had she passed!


The war-chroniclers who write brilliant stories of fight and triumph scarcely tell us of these.


These are too mean parts of the pageant: and you don't hear widows' cries or mothers' sobs in the midst of the shouts and jubilation in the great Chorus of Victory.


And yet when was the time that such have not cried out: heart-broken, humble protestants, unheard in the uproar of the triumph!


After the first movement of terror in Amelia's mind--when Rebecca's green eyes lighted upon her, and rustling in her fresh silks and brilliant ornaments, the latter tripped up with extended arms to embrace her--a feeling of anger succeeded, and from being deadly pale before, her face flushed up red, and she returned Rebecca's look after a moment with a steadiness which surprised and somewhat abashed her rival.

After the first terror in Amelia's mind - when Rebecca came rustling in her silks and brilliant ornaments to embrace her - a feeling of anger followed, and from being deadly pale, she flushed red, and returned Rebecca's look with a steadiness which surprised and somewhat abashed her rival.


"Dearest Amelia, you are very unwell," the visitor said, putting forth her hand to take Amelia's.

"Dearest Amelia, you are very unwell," the visitor said, putting forth her hand.


I could not rest until I knew how you were."


Amelia drew back her hand--never since her life began had that gentle soul refused to believe or to answer any demonstration of good-will or affection. But she drew back her hand, and trembled all over.

Amelia drew back her hand, and trembled all over.


she said, still looking at her solemnly with her large eyes.


Her solemn glances troubled her visitor.


"She must have seen him give me the letter at the ball," Rebecca thought.


"Don't be agitated, dear Amelia," she said, looking down.

"Don't be agitated, dear Amelia," she said.


"I came but to see if I could--if you were well."


Tell me, Rebecca, did I ever do you anything but kindness?"


"Indeed, Amelia, no," the other said, still hanging down her head.


"When you were quite poor, who was it that befriended you?

"When you were poor, who befriended you?


You saw us all in happier days before he married me.


I was all in all then to him; or would he have given up his fortune, his family, as he nobly did to make me happy?

I was all in all then to him; or would he have given up his fortune and his family as he nobly did to make me happy?


Why did you come between my love and me?


Who sent you to separate those whom God joined, and take my darling's heart from me--my own husband?

Why did you take my darling's heart from me - my own husband?


Do you think you could love him as I did?


You knew it, and wanted to rob me of it.


For shame, Rebecca; bad and wicked woman--false friend and false wife."

For shame, Rebecca - false friend and false wife."


"Amelia, I protest before God, I have done my husband no wrong," Rebecca said, turning from her.

"Amelia, I protest before God, I have done my husband no wrong," Rebecca said.


I knew that no falsehood, no flattery, could keep him from me long.

I knew that no flattery could keep him from me long.


The poor girl spoke these words with a spirit and volubility which Rebecca had never before seen in her, and before which the latter was quite dumb.

The poor girl spoke with a spirit which Rebecca had never before seen in her.


"But what have I done to you," she continued in a more pitiful tone, "that you should try and take him from me?

"But what have I done to you," Amelia continued, "that you should try and take him from me?


You might have spared me those, Rebecca.


And yet, from the very first day of our wedding, you came and blighted it.

From the very first day of our marriage, you blighted it.


Now he is gone, are you come to see how unhappy I am?"


"You made me wretched enough for the past fortnight: you might have spared me to-day."


"I--I never came here," interposed Rebecca, with unlucky truth.

"I - I never came here," interposed Rebecca.


I was on his knee, and my arms were round his neck, and we said 'Our Father.'

I was on his knee, and my arms were round his neck, and we prayed.


Yes, he was here: and they came and took him away, but he promised me to come back."

Yes, he was here: and they took him away, but he promised to come back."


"He will come back, my dear," said Rebecca, touched in spite of herself.


"Look," said Amelia, "this is his sash--isn't it a pretty colour?"

"Look," said Amelia, "this is his sash - isn't it a pretty colour?"


and she took up the fringe and kissed it.


She had tied it round her waist at some part of the day.

She had tied it round her waist earlier.


She had forgotten her anger, her jealousy, the very presence of her rival seemingly.


For she walked silently and almost with a smile on her face, towards the bed, and began to smooth down George's pillow.

For she walked silently and almost smiling towards the bed, and began to smooth down George's pillow.


asked Jos, who still held his position in the chair.


"There should be somebody with her," said Rebecca.


"I think she is very unwell": and she went away with a very grave face, refusing Mr. Sedley's entreaties that she would stay and partake of the early dinner which he had ordered.

"I think she is very unwell." She went away gravely, refusing Mr. Sedley's entreaties to stay to dinner.


Rebecca was of a good-natured and obliging disposition; and she liked Amelia rather than otherwise.


Even her hard words, reproachful as they were, were complimentary--the groans of a person stinging under defeat.


Meeting Mrs. O'Dowd, whom the Dean's sermons had by no means comforted, and who was walking very disconsolately in the Parc, Rebecca accosted the latter, rather to the surprise of the Major's wife, who was not accustomed to such marks of politeness from Mrs. Rawdon Crawley, and informing her that poor little Mrs. Osborne was in a desperate condition, and almost mad with grief, sent off the good-natured Irishwoman straight to see if she could console her young favourite.

Meeting Mrs. O'Dowd in the Parc, Rebecca accosted her, to her surprise; and telling her that poor little Mrs. Osborne was almost mad with grief, she sent off the Irishwoman to see if she could console her.


"I've cares of my own enough," Mrs. O'Dowd said, gravely, "and I thought poor Amelia would be little wanting for company this day.


But if she's so bad as you say, and you can't attend to her, who used to be so fond of her, faith I'll see if I can be of service.


And so good marning to ye, Madam"; with which speech and a toss of her head, the lady of the repayther took a farewell of Mrs. Crawley, whose company she by no means courted.


Becky watched her marching off, with a smile on her lip.


She had the keenest sense of humour, and the Parthian look which the retreating Mrs. O'Dowd flung over her shoulder almost upset Mrs. Crawley's gravity.


"My service to ye, me fine Madam, and I'm glad to see ye so cheerful," thought Peggy.

"I'm glad to see ye so cheerful," thought Peggy.


"It's not YOU that will cry your eyes out with grief, anyway."

"It's not you that will cry your eyes out."


And with this she passed on, and speedily found her way to Mrs. Osborne's lodgings.
The poor soul was still at the bedside, where Rebecca had left her, and stood almost crazy with grief.

And with this she hastened to Mrs. Osborne's lodgings, where she found Amelia almost crazy with grief.


The Major's wife, a stronger-minded woman, endeavoured her best to comfort her young friend. "You must bear up, Amelia, dear," she said kindly, "for he mustn't find you ill when he sends for you after the victory.

"You must bear up, Amelia, dear," the Major's wife said kindly, "for he mustn't find you ill when he sends for you after the victory.


It's not you are the only woman that are in the hands of God this day."

You're not the only woman in the hands of God this day."


I am very wicked, very weak," Amelia said.


The presence of the more resolute friend checked it, however; and she was the better of this control and company.

However, she was the better for this company.


They went on till two o'clock; their hearts were with the column as it marched farther and farther away.

Their hearts were with the column as it marched farther and farther away.


Dreadful doubt and anguish--prayers and fears and griefs unspeakable--followed the regiment.

Dreadful anguish - fears and griefs unspeakable - followed the regiment.


It taxes both alike, and takes the blood of the men, and the tears of the women.

War taxes both alike, and takes the blood of the men, and the tears of the women.


At half-past two, an event occurred of daily importance to Mr. Joseph: the dinner-hour arrived.

At half-past two, the dinner-hour arrived.


Warriors may fight and perish, but he must dine.

Warriors may fight and perish, but Jos must dine.


He came into Amelia's room to see if he could coax her to share that meal.

He came into Amelia's room to coax her to eat.


Do try, Emmy," he said, and kissed her hand.


Except when she was married, he had not done so much for years before.

Except at her wedding, he had not done that for years.


"You are very good and kind, Joseph," she said. "Everybody is, but, if you please, I will stay in my room to-day."

"You are very kind, Joseph," she said, "but, if you please, I will stay in my room today."


The savour of the soup, however, was agreeable to Mrs. O'Dowd's nostrils: and she thought she would bear Mr. Jos company. So the two sate down to their meal.

However, Mrs. O'Dowd thought she would keep Mr. Jos company; so the two sat down to their meal.


"God bless the meat," said the Major's wife, solemnly: she was thinking of her honest Mick, riding at the head of his regiment: "'Tis but a bad dinner those poor boys will get to-day," she said, with a sigh, and then, like a philosopher, fell to.


He would drink the regiment's health; or, indeed, take any other excuse to indulge in a glass of champagne.


"We'll drink to O'Dowd and the brave --th," said he, bowing gallantly to his guest.

"We'll drink to O'Dowd and the brave soldiers," said he, bowing gallantly.


But all of a sudden, Isidor started, and the Major's wife laid down her knife and fork.

But Isidor started, and the Major's wife laid down her knife and fork.


The windows of the room were open, and looked southward, and a dull distant sound came over the sun-lighted roofs from that direction.

The windows were open, and a dull distant sound came from the south.


Mrs. O'Dowd cried, starting up, and followed too to the window.

Mrs. O'Dowd cried, following him to the window.


A thousand pale and anxious faces might have been seen looking from other casements.

A thousand anxious faces might have been seen looking from other casements.


And presently it seemed as if the whole population of the city rushed into the streets.


I know that the tune I am piping is a very mild one (although there are some terrific chapters coming presently), and must beg the good-natured reader to remember that we are only discoursing at present about a stockbroker's family in Russell Square, who are taking walks, or luncheon, or dinner, or talking and making love as people do in common life, and without a single passionate and wonderful incident to mark the progress of their loves.

I know that the tune I am piping is a very mild one (although there are some terrific chapters coming presently), and I must beg the good-natured reader to remember that we are only talking about a stockbroker's family in Russell Square, who are taking walks, or lunch, as people do in ordinary life, without a single wonderful incident to mark the progress of their loves.


The argument stands thus--Osborne, in love with Amelia, has asked an old friend to dinner and to Vauxhall--Jos Sedley is in love with Rebecca.

So far, Osborne, in love with Amelia, has asked an old friend to Vauxhall. Jos Sedley is in love with Rebecca.


We might have treated this subject in the genteel, or in the romantic, or in the facetious manner.


Suppose we had laid the scene in Grosvenor Square, with the very same adventures--would not some people have listened? Suppose we had shown how Lord Joseph Sedley fell in love, and the Marquis of Osborne became attached to Lady Amelia, with the full consent of the Duke, her noble father: or instead of the supremely genteel, suppose we had resorted to the entirely low, and described what was going on in Mr. Sedley's kitchen--how black Sambo was in love with the cook (as indeed he was), and how he fought a battle with the coachman in her behalf; how the knife-boy was caught stealing a cold shoulder of mutton, and Miss Sedley's new femme de chambre refused to go to bed without a wax candle; such incidents might be made to provoke much delightful laughter, and be supposed to represent scenes of "life."

Suppose we had laid the scene in Grosvenor Square, and had shown how Lord Joseph Sedley fell in love, and the Marquis of Osborne became attached to Lady Amelia, with the full consent of the Duke, her noble father: or instead, suppose we had resorted to the entirely low, and described what was going on in Mr. Sedley's kitchen - how black Sambo was in love with the cook (as indeed he was), and how he fought a battle with the coachman over her, and how the knife-boy was caught stealing a shoulder of mutton. Such incidents might provoke much delightful laughter, and be supposed to represent scenes of "life."


Or if, on the contrary, we had taken a fancy for the terrible, and made the lover of the new femme de chambre a professional burglar, who bursts into the house with his band, slaughters black Sambo at the feet of his master, and carries off Amelia in her night-dress, not to be let loose again till the third volume, we should easily have constructed a tale of thrilling interest, through the fiery chapters of which the reader should hurry, panting.

Or if we had made a professional burglar burst into the house, slaughter black Sambo, and carry off Amelia in her night-dress, not to be rescued till the third volume, we would have our readers panting through the fiery chapters of such a thrilling tale.


But my readers must hope for no such romance, only a homely story, and must be content with a chapter about Vauxhall, which is so short that it scarce deserves to be called a chapter at all.

But my readers must be content with a homely story, and a chapter about Vauxhall which is so short that it scarce deserves to be called a chapter at all.


And yet it is a chapter, and a very important one too.


Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?

Are there not little chapters in everybody's life that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of their history?


Let us then step into the coach with the Russell Square party, and be off to the Gardens.

Let us then step into the coach with the Russell Square party, and be off to Vauxhall Gardens.


There is barely room between Jos and Miss Sharp, who are on the front seat. Mr. Osborne sitting bodkin opposite, between Captain Dobbin and Amelia.

Jos and Miss Sharp are on the front seat, with Mr. Osborne sitting opposite, between Captain Dobbin and Amelia.


Every soul in the coach agreed that on that night Jos would propose to make Rebecca Sharp Mrs. Sedley.

Every soul in the coach agreed that on that night Jos would propose to Rebecca Sharp.


The parents at home had acquiesced in the arrangement, though, between ourselves, old Mr. Sedley had a feeling very much akin to contempt for his son.

The parents at home had acquiesced, though old Mr. Sedley had a feeling close to contempt for his son.


He said he was vain, selfish, lazy, and effeminate. He could not endure his airs as a man of fashion, and laughed heartily at his pompous braggadocio stories.

He said he was vain, selfish, lazy, and effeminate, and laughed at his pompous bragging stories.


"I shall leave the fellow half my property," he said; "and he will have, besides, plenty of his own; but as I am perfectly sure that if you, and I, and his sister were to die to-morrow, he would say 'Good Gad!'

"I shall leave the fellow half my property," he said; "but I am perfectly sure that if you, I and his sister were to die tomorrow, he would say 'Good Gad!'


and eat his dinner just as well as usual, I am not going to make myself anxious about him.


Amelia, on the other hand, as became a young woman of her prudence and temperament, was quite enthusiastic for the match. Once or twice Jos had been on the point of saying something very important to her, to which she was most willing to lend an ear, but the fat fellow could not be brought to unbosom himself of his great secret, and very much to his sister's disappointment he only rid himself of a large sigh and turned away.
This mystery served to keep Amelia's gentle bosom in a perpetual flutter of excitement.

Amelia, on the other hand, was quite enthusiastic for the match, and in a flutter of excitement.


If she did not speak with Rebecca on the tender subject, she compensated herself with long and intimate conversations with Mrs. Blenkinsop, the housekeeper, who dropped some hints to the lady's-maid, who may have cursorily mentioned the matter to the cook, who carried the news, I have no doubt, to all the tradesmen, so that Mr. Jos's marriage was now talked of by a very considerable number of persons in the Russell Square world.

She did not speak with Rebecca on the subject, but had long conversations with Mrs. Blenkinsop the housekeeper, who dropped some hints to the lady's-maid, who may have mentioned the matter to the cook, who carried the news to all the tradesmen, so that Mr. Jos's marriage was now talked of by a large number of persons.


It was, of course, Mrs. Sedley's opinion that her son would demean himself by a marriage with an artist's daughter.


"But, lor', Ma'am," ejaculated Mrs. Blenkinsop, "we was only grocers when we married Mr. S., who was a stock-broker's clerk, and we hadn't five hundred pounds among us, and we're rich enough now."


And Amelia was entirely of this opinion, to which, gradually, the good-natured Mrs. Sedley was brought.


"Let Jos marry whom he likes," he said; "it's no affair of mine.


This girl has no fortune; no more had Mrs. Sedley.


She seems good-humoured and clever, and will keep him in order, perhaps.


Better she, my dear, than a black Mrs. Sedley, and a dozen of mahogany grandchildren."


So that everything seemed to smile upon Rebecca's fortunes.

Everything seemed to smile upon Rebecca's fortunes.


She took Jos's arm, as a matter of course, on going to dinner; she had sate by him on the box of his open carriage (a most tremendous "buck" he was, as he sat there, serene, in state, driving his greys), and though nobody said a word on the subject of the marriage, everybody seemed to understand it.

She took Jos's arm on going to dinner; she sat by him on the box of his open carriage; and though nobody said a word about marriage, everybody seemed to understand it.


All she wanted was the proposal, and ah!


how Rebecca now felt the want of a mother!--a dear, tender mother, who would have managed the business in ten minutes, and, in the course of a little delicate confidential conversation, would have extracted the interesting avowal from the bashful lips of the young man!

how Rebecca now felt the lack of a mother! - who would have managed the business in ten minutes, and, with a little delicate conversation, would have extracted the avowal from the young man's bashful lips!


Such was the state of affairs as the carriage crossed Westminster bridge.


The party was landed at the Royal Gardens in due time.


As the majestic Jos stepped out of the creaking vehicle the crowd gave a cheer for the fat gentleman, who blushed and looked very big and mighty, as he walked away with Rebecca under his arm.

As the majestic Jos stepped out of the creaking vehicle, the crowd gave a cheer for the fat gentleman, who blushed as he walked away with Rebecca under his arm.


George, of course, took charge of Amelia.


She looked as happy as a rose-tree in sunshine.


"I say, Dobbin," says George, "just look to the shawls and things, there's a good fellow."

"I say, Dobbin," said George, "just look after the shawls and things, there's a good fellow."


And so while he paired off with Miss Sedley, and Jos squeezed through the gate into the gardens with Rebecca at his side, honest Dobbin contented himself by giving an arm to the shawls, and by paying at the door for the whole party.

And so while he paired off with Miss Sedley, and Jos squeezed through the gate into the gardens with Rebecca, honest Dobbin contented himself by carrying the shawls, and paying at the door for the whole party.


He walked very modestly behind them. He was not willing to spoil sport.

He walked modestly behind them, unwilling to be a spoil-sport.


About Rebecca and Jos he did not care a fig.


But he thought Amelia worthy even of the brilliant George Osborne, and as he saw that good-looking couple threading the walks to the girl's delight and wonder, he watched her artless happiness with a sort of fatherly pleasure.

But he thought Amelia worthy even of the brilliant George Osborne, and as he saw the girl's delight and wonder, he watched her artless happiness with a sort of fatherly pleasure.


Perhaps he felt that he would have liked to have something on his own arm besides a shawl (the people laughed at seeing the gawky young officer carrying this female burthen); but William Dobbin was very little addicted to selfish calculation at all; and so long as his friend was enjoying himself, how should he be discontented?

Perhaps he felt that he would have liked to have someone on his own arm rather than a shawl; but William Dobbin was not selfish; and so long as his friend was enjoying himself, how should he be discontented?


And the truth is, that of all the delights of the Gardens; of the hundred thousand extra lamps, which were always lighted; the fiddlers in cocked hats, who played ravishing melodies under the gilded cockle-shell in the midst of the gardens; the singers, both of comic and sentimental ballads, who charmed the ears there; the country dances, formed by bouncing cockneys and cockneyesses, and executed amidst jumping, thumping and laughter; the signal which announced that Madame Saqui was about to mount skyward on a slack-rope ascending to the stars; the hermit that always sat in the illuminated hermitage; the dark walks, so favourable to the interviews of young lovers; the pots of stout handed about by the people in the shabby old liveries; and the twinkling boxes, in which the happy feasters made-believe to eat slices of almost invisible ham--of all these things, and of the gentle Simpson, that kind smiling idiot, who, I daresay, presided even then over the place--Captain William Dobbin did not take the slightest notice.

And the truth is, that of all the delights of the Gardens - of the hundred thousand lamps, the fiddlers, the singers, the country dances, with their jumping, thumping and laughter; the signal which announced that Madame Saqui was about to mount on a slack-rope ascending to the stars; the hermit that sat in the illuminated hermitage; the dark walks, so favourable to young lovers - Captain William Dobbin did not take the slightest notice.


He carried about Amelia's white cashmere shawl, and having attended under the gilt cockle-shell, while Mrs. Salmon performed the Battle of Borodino (a savage cantata against the Corsican upstart, who had lately met with his Russian reverses)--Mr. Dobbin tried to hum it as he walked away, and found he was humming--the tune which Amelia Sedley sang on the stairs, as she came down to dinner.

He carried about Amelia's white cashmere shawl, and having listened to Mrs. Salmon perform the Battle of Borodino (a savage cantata against Napoleon), Dobbin tried to hum it as he walked away, and found he was humming the tune which Amelia Sedley sang as she came down to dinner.


He burst out laughing at himself; for the truth is, he could sing no better than an owl.

He burst out laughing at himself; for he could sing no better than an owl.


It is to be understood, as a matter of course, that our young people, being in parties of two and two, made the most solemn promises to keep together during the evening, and separated in ten minutes afterwards.

Our two young couples made solemn promises to keep together during the evening, and separated ten minutes later.


Parties at Vauxhall always did separate, but 'twas only to meet again at supper-time, when they could talk of their mutual adventures in the interval.

Parties at Vauxhall always did separate, to meet again at supper-time, when they could talk of their adventures.


What were the adventures of Mr. Osborne and Miss Amelia?


But be sure of this--they were perfectly happy, and correct in their behaviour; and as they had been in the habit of being together any time these fifteen years, their tete-a-tete offered no particular novelty.

But be sure that they were perfectly happy, and correct in their behaviour; and as they had been in the habit of being together any time these fifteen years, their tete-a-tete offered no particular novelty.


But when Miss Rebecca Sharp and her stout companion lost themselves in a solitary walk, in which there were not above five score more of couples similarly straying, they both felt that the situation was extremely tender and critical, and now or never was the moment Miss Sharp thought, to provoke that declaration which was trembling on the timid lips of Mr. Sedley.

But when Miss Rebecca Sharp and her stout companion lost themselves in a solitary path, in which there were no more than a hundred other couples, they both felt that the situation was extremely critical. Now or never was the moment, Miss Sharp thought, for Mr Sedley's declaration.


They had previously been to the panorama of Moscow, where a rude fellow, treading on Miss Sharp's foot, caused her to fall back with a little shriek into the arms of Mr. Sedley, and this little incident increased the tenderness and confidence of that gentleman to such a degree, that he told her several of his favourite Indian stories over again for, at least, the sixth time.

They had previously been to the panorama of Moscow, where a fellow treading on Miss Sharp's foot caused her to fall back with a little shriek into Mr. Sedley's arms. This incident increased his confidence so much that he told her several of his favourite Indian stories all over again.


said Joseph, with a most killing tenderness; and was no doubt about to follow up this artful interrogatory by a question still more tender (for he puffed and panted a great deal, and Rebecca's hand, which was placed near his heart, could count the feverish pulsations of that organ), when, oh, provoking!

said Joseph tenderly; and was no doubt about to follow up this question with one still more tender - when, oh, provoking!


the bell rang for the fireworks, and, a great scuffling and running taking place, these interesting lovers were obliged to follow in the stream of people.

the bell rang for the fireworks, and a great scuffling and running took place. The lovers were obliged to follow the stream of people.


Captain Dobbin had some thoughts of joining the party at supper: as, in truth, he found the Vauxhall amusements not particularly lively--but he paraded twice before the box where the now united couples were met, and nobody took any notice of him.

Captain Dobbin had thought of joining the party at supper - but he walked twice in front of the box where the couples met, and nobody noticed him.


The mated pairs were prattling away quite happily, and Dobbin knew he was as clean forgotten as if he had never existed in this world.

The mated pairs were prattling away quite happily, and Dobbin knew he was clean forgotten.


"I should only be de trop," said the Captain, looking at them rather wistfully.

"I should only be de trop," said the Captain rather wistfully.


"I'd best go and talk to the hermit,"--and so he strolled off out of the hum of men, and noise, and clatter of the banquet, into the dark walk, at the end of which lived that well-known pasteboard Solitary.

"I'd best go and talk to the hermit." So he strolled out of the noise and clatter of the banquet, into the dark walk, at the end of which lived that pasteboard Solitary.


It wasn't very good fun for Dobbin--and, indeed, to be alone at Vauxhall, I have found, from my own experience, to be one of the most dismal sports ever entered into by a bachelor.

It wasn't very good fun for Dobbin - indeed, to be alone at Vauxhall is dismal sport for a bachelor.


The two couples were perfectly happy then in their box: where the most delightful and intimate conversation took place.

The two couples were perfectly happy in their box.


Jos was in his glory, ordering about the waiters with great majesty.


He made the salad; and uncorked the Champagne; and carved the chickens; and ate and drank the greater part of the refreshments on the tables.

He made the salad; uncorked the Champagne; carved the chickens; and ate and drank the greater part of the refreshments.


Finally, he insisted upon having a bowl of rack punch; everybody had rack punch at Vauxhall.


That bowl of rack punch was the cause of all this history.


And why not a bowl of rack punch as well as any other cause?


Was not a bowl of prussic acid the cause of Fair Rosamond's retiring from the world?


Was not a bowl of wine the cause of the demise of Alexander the Great, or, at least, does not Dr. Lempriere say so?--so did this bowl of rack punch influence the fates of all the principal characters in this "Novel without a Hero," which we are now relating. It influenced their life, although most of them did not taste a drop of it.

Was not a bowl of wine the cause of the demise of Alexander the Great? So rack punch influenced the fates of all the chief characters in this "Novel without a Hero," although most of them did not taste a drop of it.


The young ladies did not drink it; Osborne did not like it; and the consequence was that Jos, that fat gourmand, drank up the whole contents of the bowl; and the consequence of his drinking up the whole contents of the bowl was a liveliness which at first was astonishing, and then became almost painful; for he talked and laughed so loud as to bring scores of listeners round the box, much to the confusion of the innocent party within it; and, volunteering to sing a song (which he did in that maudlin high key peculiar to gentlemen in an inebriated state), he almost drew away the audience who were gathered round the musicians in the gilt scollop-shell, and received from his hearers a great deal of applause.

The young ladies did not drink it; Osborne did not like it; and so Jos drank up the whole contents of the bowl. The consequence of this was a liveliness which at first was astonishing, and then became painful; for he talked and laughed so loud as to bring scores of listeners round the box, much to the confusion of the group within it. Volunteering to sing a song (which he did in that maudlin high key peculiar to inebriated gentlemen), he received from his hearers a great deal of applause.


said one; "Angcore, Daniel Lambert!" said another; "What a figure for the tight-rope!" exclaimed another wag, to the inexpressible alarm of the ladies, and the great anger of Mr. Osborne.

said one wag; "What a figure for the tight-rope!" exclaimed another, to the alarm of the ladies, and the anger of Mr. Osborne.


"For Heaven's sake, Jos, let us get up and go," cried that gentleman, and the young women rose.

"For Heaven's sake, Jos, let us go," he cried, and the young women rose.


"Stop, my dearest diddle-diddle-darling," shouted Jos, now as bold as a lion, and clasping Miss Rebecca round the waist.

"Stop, my dearest diddle-diddle-darling," shouted Jos, now as bold as a lion, clasping Miss Rebecca round the waist.


Rebecca started, but she could not get away her hand.

Rebecca started, but she could not get away.


Jos continued to drink, to make love, and to sing; and, winking and waving his glass gracefully to his audience, challenged all or any to come in and take a share of his punch.

Jos continued to drink, to make love, and to sing; and, winking and waving his glass gracefully to his audience, challenged them to take a share of his punch.


Mr. Osborne was just on the point of knocking down a gentleman in top-boots, who proposed to take advantage of this invitation, and a commotion seemed to be inevitable, when by the greatest good luck a gentleman of the name of Dobbin, who had been walking about the gardens, stepped up to the box.

Mr. Osborne was just on the point of knocking down a gentleman who proposed to accept this invitation, and a commotion seemed to be inevitable, when by the greatest good luck Dobbin stepped up to the box.


said this gentleman--shouldering off a great number of the crowd, who vanished presently before his cocked hat and fierce appearance--and he entered the box in a most agitated state.

he said. The crowd vanished before his cocked hat and fierce appearance.


Osborne said, seizing the white cashmere shawl from his friend's arm, and huddling up Amelia in it.--"Make yourself useful, and take charge of Jos here, whilst I take the ladies to the carriage."

Osborne said, seizing the white shawl from his friend's arm, and huddling Amelia in it. "Make yourself useful, and take charge of Jos here, whilst I take the ladies to the carriage."


Jos was for rising to interfere--but a single push from Osborne's finger sent him puffing back into his seat again, and the lieutenant was enabled to remove the ladies in safety.

Jos was rising to interfere - but a push from Osborne's finger sent him puffing back into his seat again, and the lieutenant was able to remove the ladies in safety.


Jos kissed his hand to them as they retreated, and hiccupped out "Bless you!

Jos kissed his hand to them as they retreated, hiccupping, "Bless you!


Then, seizing Captain Dobbin's hand, and weeping in the most pitiful way, he confided to that gentleman the secret of his loves.

Then, seizing Captain Dobbin's hand, and weeping pitifully, he confided the secret of his love.


He adored that girl who had just gone out; he had broken her heart, he knew he had, by his conduct; he would marry her next morning at St. George's, Hanover Square; he'd knock up the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth: he would, by Jove!

He adored that girl who had just gone; he had broken her heart by his conduct; he would marry her next morning at St. George's, Hanover Square; he'd knock up the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth, by Jove!


and have him in readiness; and, acting on this hint, Captain Dobbin shrewdly induced him to leave the gardens and hasten to Lambeth Palace, and, when once out of the gates, easily conveyed Mr. Jos Sedley into a hackney-coach, which deposited him safely at his lodgings.

for the purpose.
Captain Dobbin shrewdly persuaded him to leave the gardens in order to hasten to Lambeth Palace. Once out of the gates, he easily got Jos into a hackney-coach, which took him to his lodgings.


George Osborne conducted the girls home in safety: and when the door was closed upon them, and as he walked across Russell Square, laughed so as to astonish the watchman.

George Osborne took the girls home: and laughed after he had closed the door upon them.


Amelia looked very ruefully at her friend, as they went up stairs, and kissed her, and went to bed without any more talking.

Amelia looked ruefully at her friend as they went upstairs. They kissed and went to bed without talking.


"He must propose to-morrow," thought Rebecca.

"He must propose tomorrow," thought Rebecca.


"He called me his soul's darling, four times; he squeezed my hand in Amelia's presence.

"He called me his soul's darling four times; he squeezed my hand in Amelia's presence.


And I dare say she thought of the dress she was to wear as bridesmaid, and of the presents which she should make to her nice little sister-in-law, and of a subsequent ceremony in which she herself might play a principal part, &c., and &c., and &c., and &c.

And I dare say she thought of the dress she would wear as bridesmaid, and of a subsequent ceremony in which she herself might be the bride.


How little do you know the effect of rack punch!


What is the rack in the punch, at night, to the rack in the head of a morning?


To this truth I can vouch as a man; there is no headache in the world like that caused by Vauxhall punch.

There is no headache in the world like that caused by Vauxhall punch.


Through the lapse of twenty years, I can remember the consequence of two glasses!


but two, upon the honour of a gentleman; and Joseph Sedley, who had a liver complaint, had swallowed at least a quart of the abominable mixture.

and Joseph Sedley had swallowed at least a quart.


That next morning, which Rebecca thought was to dawn upon her fortune, found Sedley groaning in agonies which the pen refuses to describe. Soda-water was not invented yet. Small beer--will it be believed!--was the only drink with which unhappy gentlemen soothed the fever of their previous night's potation. With this mild beverage before him, George Osborne found the ex-Collector of Boggley Wollah groaning on the sofa at his lodgings.

Next morning, which Rebecca thought was to dawn upon her fortune, George Osborne found the ex-Collector of Boggley Wollah in agonies, groaning on the sofa at his lodgings.


Dobbin was already in the room, good-naturedly tending his patient of the night before.

Dobbin was already in the room, good-naturedly tending his patient.


The two officers, looking at the prostrate Bacchanalian, and askance at each other, exchanged the most frightful sympathetic grins.

The two officers looked askance at each other, exchanging sympathetic grins.


Even Sedley's valet, the most solemn and correct of gentlemen, with the muteness and gravity of an undertaker, could hardly keep his countenance in order, as he looked at his unfortunate master.

Even Sedley's solemn valet could hardly keep his face in order.


"Mr. Sedley was uncommon wild last night, sir," he whispered in confidence to Osborne, as the latter mounted the stair.

"Mr. Sedley was uncommon wild last night, sir," he whispered to Osborne.


"He wanted to fight the 'ackney-coachman, sir.


The Capting was obliged to bring him upstairs in his harms like a babby."

The Capting had to bring him upstairs in his arms like a babby."


A momentary smile flickered over Mr. Brush's features as he spoke; instantly, however, they relapsed into their usual unfathomable calm, as he flung open the drawing-room door, and announced "Mr.


that young wag began, after surveying his victim.


There's a hackney-coachman downstairs with a black eye, and a tied-up head, vowing he'll have the law of you."

There's a hackney-coachman downstairs with a black eye, vowing he'll have the law on you."


"For thrashing him last night--didn't he, Dobbin?

"For thrashing him last night - didn't he, Dobbin?


The watchman says he never saw a fellow go down so straight.


"You DID have a round with the coachman," Captain Dobbin said, "and showed plenty of fight too."

"You did have a round with the coachman," Captain Dobbin said, "and showed plenty of fight too."


"And that fellow with the white coat at Vauxhall!


By Jove, sir, it did my heart good to see you.


I thought you civilians had no pluck; but I'll never get in your way when you are in your cups, Jos."


"I believe I'm very terrible, when I'm roused," ejaculated Jos from the sofa, and made a grimace so dreary and ludicrous, that the Captain's politeness could restrain him no longer, and he and Osborne fired off a ringing volley of laughter.

"I believe I'm very terrible when I'm roused," said Jos from the sofa, with a dreary grimace.


Osborne pursued his advantage pitilessly.


He had been revolving in his mind the marriage question pending between Jos and Rebecca, and was not over well pleased that a member of a family into which he, George Osborne, of the --th, was going to marry, should make a mesalliance with a little nobody--a little upstart governess.

He had been revolving in his mind the question of marriage between Jos and Rebecca, and was not pleased that a member of a family into which he, George Osborne, was going to marry, should make a msalliance with a little upstart governess.


Why, man, you couldn't stand--you made everybody laugh in the Gardens, though you were crying yourself.

"You made everybody laugh, though you were crying yourself.


Don't you remember singing a song?"
"A what?" Jos asked.
"A sentimental song, and calling Rosa, Rebecca, what's her name, Amelia's little friend--your dearest diddle-diddle-darling?"

Don't you remember singing a song, and calling Rosa, Rebecca, what's her name, your dearest diddle-diddle-darling?"


And this ruthless young fellow, seizing hold of Dobbin's hand, acted over the scene, to the horror of the original performer, and in spite of Dobbin's good-natured entreaties to him to have mercy.

And this ruthless young fellow, seizing Dobbin's hand, acted out the scene, to Joseph's horror, and in spite of Dobbin's good-natured entreaties to have mercy.


Osborne said to his friend's remonstrances, when they quitted the invalid, leaving him under the hands of Doctor Gollop.

Osborne said to his friend, when they quitted the invalid, leaving him under the hands of Doctor Gollop.


"What the deuce right has he to give himself his patronizing airs, and make fools of us at Vauxhall?

"What the deuce right has he to give himself airs, and make fools of us at Vauxhall?


Who's this little schoolgirl that is ogling and making love to him?

Who's this schoolgirl that is ogling him?


Hang it, the family's low enough already, without HER.

Hang it, the family's low enough already, without her.


A governess is all very well, but I'd rather have a lady for my sister-in-law.


I'm a liberal man; but I've proper pride, and know my own station: let her know hers.

I know my own station: let her know hers.


And I'll take down that great hectoring Nabob, and prevent him from being made a greater fool than he is.

And I'll prevent that Nabob from being made a greater fool than he is.


That's why I told him to look out, lest she brought an action against him."


"I suppose you know best," Dobbin said, though rather dubiously.


"You always were a Tory, and your family's one of the oldest in England.


"Come and see the girls, and make love to Miss Sharp yourself," the lieutenant here interrupted his friend; but Captain Dobbin declined to join Osborne in his daily visit to the young ladies in Russell Square.

"Come and see the girls, and make love to Miss Sharp yourself," the lieutenant interrupted; but Captain Dobbin declined.


As George walked down Southampton Row, from Holborn, he laughed as he saw, at the Sedley Mansion, in two different stories two heads on the look-out.

As George walked down Southampton Row to the Sedley mansion, he laughed as he saw two heads on the look-out.


The fact is, Miss Amelia, in the drawing-room balcony, was looking very eagerly towards the opposite side of the Square, where Mr. Osborne dwelt, on the watch for the lieutenant himself; and Miss Sharp, from her little bed-room on the second floor, was in observation until Mr. Joseph's great form should heave in sight.

Miss Amelia, in the drawing-room balcony, was looking very eagerly towards the other side of the Square, on the watch for him; and Miss Sharp was observing from the second floor until Mr. Joseph's great form should heave in sight.


"Sister Anne is on the watch-tower," said he to Amelia, "but there's nobody coming"; and laughing and enjoying the joke hugely, he described in the most ludicrous terms to Miss Sedley, the dismal condition of her brother.

"Sister Anne is on the watch-tower," said he to Amelia on entering, "but there's nobody coming." Enjoying the joke hugely, he described in ludicrous terms the dismal condition of her brother.


"I think it's very cruel of you to laugh, George," she said, looking particularly unhappy; but George only laughed the more at her piteous and discomfited mien, persisted in thinking the joke a most diverting one, and when Miss Sharp came downstairs, bantered her with a great deal of liveliness upon the effect of her charms on the fat civilian.

"I think it's very cruel of you to laugh, George," she said, looking unhappy; but George only laughed the more. When Miss Sharp came downstairs, he bantered with a great deal of liveliness upon the effect of her charms.


if you could but see him this morning," he said--"moaning in his flowered dressing-gown--writhing on his sofa; if you could but have seen him lolling out his tongue to Gollop the apothecary."

if you could but see him this morning, moaning in his flowered dressing-gown - writhing on his sofa; if you could but have seen him lolling out his tongue to the doctor."


O Captain Dobbin, of course, to whom we were all so attentive, by the way, last night."


"We were very unkind to him," Emmy said, blushing very much.

"We were very unkind to him," Emmy said, blushing.


"Of course you did," cried Osborne, still on the laugh.

"Of course you did," cried Osborne, still laughing.


"One can't be ALWAYS thinking about Dobbin, you know, Amelia.

"One can't be always thinking about Dobbin, you know, Amelia.


"Except when he overset the glass of wine at dinner," Miss Sharp said, with a haughty air and a toss of the head, "I never gave the existence of Captain Dobbin one single moment's consideration."

"Except when he overturned the glass of wine at dinner," Miss Sharp said, with a haughty toss of the head, "I never gave Captain Dobbin one moment's consideration."


"Very good, Miss Sharp, I'll tell him," Osborne said; and as he spoke Miss Sharp began to have a feeling of distrust and hatred towards this young officer, which he was quite unconscious of having inspired.

"Very good, Miss Sharp, I'll tell him," Osborne said; and Miss Sharp began to have a feeling of distrust and hatred towards this young officer.


"Has he been laughing about me to Joseph? Has he frightened him?


--A film passed over her eyes, and her heart beat quite quick.


"You're always joking," said she, smiling as innocently as she could.


"Joke away, Mr. George; there's nobody to defend ME."

"Joke away, Mr. George; there's nobody to defend me."


And George Osborne, as she walked away--and Amelia looked reprovingly at him--felt some little manly compunction for having inflicted any unnecessary unkindness upon this helpless creature.

As she walked away, George felt some little manly compunction for being unkind to this helpless creature.


"My dearest Amelia," said he, "you are too good--too kind. You don't know the world.

"My dearest Amelia," said he, "You don't know the world.


And your little friend Miss Sharp must learn her station."

Your little friend must learn her station."


I only know he is a very foolish vain fellow, and put my dear little girl into a very painful and awkward position last night.

I only know he is a very foolish vain fellow, and put my dear little girl into a very painful position last night.


He was off laughing again, and he did it so drolly that Emmy laughed too.

He was off laughing again, so drolly that Emmy laughed too.


But Amelia had no fear about this; for the little schemer had actually sent away the page, Mr. Sambo's aide-de-camp, to Mr. Joseph's lodgings, to ask for some book he had promised, and how he was; and the reply through Jos's man, Mr. Brush, was, that his master was ill in bed, and had just had the doctor with him.

But Amelia had no fear about this; for she had sent a servant to Mr. Joseph's lodgings, to ask for some book he had promised, and see how he was; and the reply through Jos's man was, that his master was ill in bed, and had the doctor with him.


He must come to-morrow, she thought, but she never had the courage to speak a word on the subject to Rebecca; nor did that young woman herself allude to it in any way during the whole evening after the night at Vauxhall.

He must come tomorrow, she thought, but she never had the courage to speak on the subject to Rebecca.


The next day, however, as the two young ladies sate on the sofa, pretending to work, or to write letters, or to read novels, Sambo came into the room with his usual engaging grin, with a packet under his arm, and a note on a tray.

The next day, however, as the two young ladies sat on the sofa, pretending to work, Sambo came in with his usual engaging grin, a packet under his arm, and a note on a tray.


Dear Amelia,--I send you the "Orphan of the Forest."

Dear Amelia,
I send you the "Orphan of the Forest."


Pray excuse me, if you can, to the amiable Miss Sharp, for my conduct at Vauxhall, and entreat her to pardon and forget every word I may have uttered when excited by that fatal supper.

Pray excuse me, if you can, to the amiable Miss Sharp, for my conduct at Vauxhall, and entreat her to forget every word I uttered when excited by that fatal supper.


As soon as I have recovered, for my health is very much shaken, I shall go to Scotland for some months, and am


Amelia did not dare to look at Rebecca's pale face and burning eyes, but she dropt the letter into her friend's lap; and got up, and went upstairs to her room, and cried her little heart out.

Amelia did not dare to look at Rebecca's pale face and burning eyes, but she dropped the letter into her friend's lap; got up and went upstairs, and cried her little heart out.


Blenkinsop, the housekeeper, there sought her presently with consolation, on whose shoulder Amelia wept confidentially, and relieved herself a good deal.

The housekeeper sought her with consolation.


But none of us in the house have liked her except at fust.


I sor her with my own eyes reading your Ma's letters.