Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero

Amelia is so upset by the end of her engagement to George that Dobbin is concerned for her health. Against his love for her, he functions as the go-between to help to repair their relationship. Amelia is reunited with George, who appreciates the endless devotion and “sweet unrepining obedience” (221) that she shows him, as he believes that he deserves to be loved in such a manner. Now, however, Amelia’s parents object to the marriage. John Sedley hates John Osborne, though Mrs. Sedley is keen for her daughter to marry George. Dobbin, thinking similarly, implies that elopement might be the best option, allowing them to marry in secret, just like Rawdon and Becky; George might later win Mr. Sedley’s respect with a valorous display on the battlefield. Dobbin finds Mr. Sedley, who has temporarily set up in a coffee shop. He seems disheveled and bitter, acting strangely deferential to the younger man. Mr. Sedley blames Napoleon for destroying his business assets. Dobbin, a military man, promises that Napoleon will finally be defeated. Mr. Sedley vents about John Osborne. Dobbin defends George as being separate from his father in the hope that he will not object to George marrying Amelia. He hints that the marriage might undo the damage caused by John Osborne’s rumors.