Every visit which this leader of ton paid to her family was more

unlucky for her. Her father paid more money into Stumpy and Rowdy's.

Her patronage became more and more insufferable. The poor widow in the

little cottage at Brompton, guarding her treasure there, little knew

how eagerly some people coveted it.

On that night when Jane Osborne had told her father that she had seen

his grandson, the old man had made her no reply, but he had shown no

anger--and had bade her good-night on going himself to his room in

rather a kindly voice. And he must have meditated on what she said and

have made some inquiries of the Dobbin family regarding her visit, for

a fortnight after it took place, he asked her where was her little

French watch and chain she used to wear?

"I bought it with my money, sir," she said in a great fright.

"Go and order another like it, or a better if you can get it," said the

old gentleman and lapsed again into silence.

Of late the Misses Dobbin more than once repeated their entreaties to

Amelia, to allow George to visit them. His aunt had shown her

inclination; perhaps his grandfather himself, they hinted, might be

disposed to be reconciled to him. Surely, Amelia could not refuse such

advantageous chances for the boy. Nor could she, but she acceded to

their overtures with a very heavy and suspicious heart, was always

uneasy during the child's absence from her, and welcomed him back as if

he was rescued out of some danger. He brought back money and toys, at

which the widow looked with alarm and jealousy; she asked him always if

he had seen any gentleman--"Only old Sir William, who drove him about

in the four-wheeled chaise, and Mr. Dobbin, who arrived on the

beautiful bay horse in the afternoon--in the green coat and pink

neck-cloth, with the gold-headed whip, who promised to show him the

Tower of London and take him out with the Surrey hounds." At last, he

said, "There was an old gentleman, with thick eyebrows, and a broad

hat, and large chain and seals." He came one day as the coachman was

lunging Georgy round the lawn on the gray pony. "He looked at me very

much. He shook very much. I said 'My name is Norval' after dinner.

My aunt began to cry. She is always crying." Such was George's report

on that night.

Then Amelia knew that the boy had seen his grandfather; and looked out

feverishly for a proposal which she was sure would follow, and which

came, in fact, in a few days afterwards. Mr. Osborne formally offered

to take the boy and make him heir to the fortune which he had intended

that his father should inherit. He would make Mrs. George Osborne an

allowance, such as to assure her a decent competency. If Mrs. George

Osborne proposed to marry again, as Mr. O. heard was her intention, he

would not withdraw that allowance. But it must be understood that the

child would live entirely with his grandfather in Russell Square, or at

whatever other place Mr. O. should select, and that he would be

occasionally permitted to see Mrs. George Osborne at her own residence.

This message was brought or read to her in a letter one day, when her

mother was from home and her father absent as usual in the City.




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