And with this, feeling that he could say no more, Dobbin went away,

Osborne sinking back in his chair, and looking wildly after him. A

clerk came in, obedient to the bell; and the Captain was scarcely out

of the court where Mr. Osborne's offices were, when Mr. Chopper the

chief clerk came rushing hatless after him.

"For God's sake, what is it?" Mr. Chopper said, catching the Captain by

the skirt. "The governor's in a fit. What has Mr. George been doing?"

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

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

The old clerk shook his head. "If that's your news, Captain, it's bad.

The governor will never forgive him."

Dobbin begged Chopper to report progress to him at the hotel where he

was stopping, and walked off moodily westwards, greatly perturbed as to

the past and the future.

When the Russell Square family came to dinner that evening, they found

the father of the house seated in his usual place, but with that air of

gloom on his face, which, whenever it appeared there, kept the whole

circle silent. The ladies, and Mr. Bullock who dined with them, felt

that the news had been communicated to Mr. Osborne. His dark looks

affected Mr. Bullock so far as to render him still and quiet: but he

was unusually bland and attentive to Miss Maria, by whom he sat, and to

her sister presiding at the head of the table.

Miss Wirt, by consequence, was alone on her side of the board, a gap

being left between her and Miss Jane Osborne. Now this was George's

place when he dined at home; and his cover, as we said, was laid for

him in expectation of that truant's return. Nothing occurred during

dinner-time except smiling Mr. Frederick's flagging confidential

whispers, and the clinking of plate and china, to interrupt the silence

of the repast. The servants went about stealthily doing their duty.

Mutes at funerals could not look more glum than the domestics of Mr.

Osborne The neck of venison of which he had invited Dobbin to partake,

was carved by him in perfect silence; but his own share went away

almost untasted, though he drank much, and the butler assiduously

filled his glass.

At last, just at the end of the dinner, his eyes, which had been

staring at everybody in turn, fixed themselves for a while upon the

plate laid for George. He pointed to it presently with his left hand.

His daughters looked at him and did not comprehend, or choose to

comprehend, the signal; nor did the servants at first understand it.

"Take that plate away," at last he said, getting up with an oath--and

with this pushing his chair back, he walked into his own room.




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