 the ladies' company
before she understood his secret perfectly. She did not like him, and feared him
privately; nor was he very much prepossessed in her favour. He was so honest,
that her arts and cajoleries did not affect him, and he shrank from her with
instinctive repulsion. And, as she was by no means so far superior to her sex as
to be above jealousy, she disliked him the more for his adoration of Amelia.
Nevertheless, she was very respectful and cordial in her manner towards him. A
friend to the Osbornes! a friend to her dearest benefactors! She vowed she
should always love him sincerely. She remembered him quite well on the Vauxhall
night, as she told Amelia archly, and she made a little fun of him when the two
ladies went to dress for dinner. Rawdon Crawley paid scarcely any attention to
Dobbin, looking upon him as a good-natured nincompoop and underbred City man.
Jos patronized him with much dignity.
    When George and Dobbin were alone in the latter's room, to which George had
followed him, Dobbin took from his desk the letter which he had been charged by
Mr. Osborne to deliver to his son. »It's not in my father's handwriting,« said
George, looking rather alarmed. Nor was it: the letter was from Mr. Osborne's
lawyer, and to the following effect: -
 
                                                      »Bedford Row, May 7, 1815.
        Sir, - I am commissioned by Mr. Osborne to inform you, that he abides by
        the determination which he before expressed to you, and that in
        consequence of the marriage which you have been pleased to contract, he
        ceases to consider you henceforth as a member of his family. This
        determination is final and irrevocable.
            Although the moneys expended upon you in your minority, and the
        bills which you have drawn upon him so unsparingly of late years, far
        exceed in amount the sum to which you are entitled in your own right
        (being the third part of the fortune of your mother, the late Mrs.
        Osborne, and which reverted to you at her decease, and to Miss Jane
        Osborne and Miss Maria Frances Osborne); yet I am instructed by Mr.
        Osborne to say, that he waives all claim upon your estate, and that the
        sum of £2000, 4 per cent. annuities, at the value of the day (being your
        one-third share of the sum of £6000), shall be paid over to yourself or
        your agents upon your receipt for the same, by
                                                           Your obedient Servt.,
                                                                       S. HIGGS.
