Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero

The narrator admits that he is by no means a military expert. As such, he focuses on those who stay behind when the soldiers advance to the front. Becky’s farewell to Rawdon is relatively simply, following a frank discussion of their financial situation and his debts. The narrator suggests that they seem to care deeply about each other. After Rawdon leaves, the note from George slips out of her clothing. Becky sleeps and, when she wakes, she takes an itinerary of Rawdon’s possessions. The narrator compares her cool, collected demeanor to that of the nervous soldiers. Dobbin visits Jos. He fears that he may never see Amelia again, but he also hopes to overhear anything said between George and Amelia. Telling Jos to care for Amelia while they are away, he spots Amelia. He is heartbroken that he is not the person bidding her farewell.

After George leaves, Jos realizes that he has felt overshadowed by his new brother-in-law. Meanwhile, the servants eye George’s valuables. Becky comes to visit Amelia. She chides Jos for not enlisting with the other men. Jos suspects that she merely wants his attention, since there is no one else left.