my respected friends Hulker and Bullock will vouch,
who were the correspondents of your late lamented father. You'll find us a
united, simple, happy, and I think I may say respected, family - a plain table,
a plain people, but a warm welcome, my dear Miss Rhoda - Rhoda, let me say, for
my heart warms to you, it does really. I'm a frank man, and I like you. - A
glass of champagne! Hicks, champagne to Miss Swartz.«
    There is little doubt that old Osborne believed all he said, and that the
girls were quite earnest in their protestations of affection for Miss Swartz.
People in Vanity Fair fasten on to rich folks quite naturally. If the simplest
people are disposed to look not a little kindly on great Prosperity (for I defy
any member of the British public to say that the notion of Wealth has not
something awful and pleasing to him; and you, if you are told that the man next
you at dinner has got half a million, not to look at him with a certain
interest) - if the simple look benevolently on money, how much more do your old
worldlings regard it! Their affections rush out to meet and welcome money. Their
kind sentiments awaken spontaneously towards the interesting possessors of it. I
know some respectable people who don't consider themselves at liberty to indulge
in friendship for any individual who has not a certain competency, or place in
society. They give a loose to their feelings on proper occasions. And the proof
is, that the major part of the Osborne family, who had not, in fifteen years,
been able to get up a hearty regard for Amelia Sedley, became as fond of Miss
Swartz in the course of a single evening as the most romantic advocate of
friendship at first sight could desire.
    What a match for George she'd be (the sisters and Miss Wirt agreed), and how
much better than that insignificant little Amelia! Such a dashing young fellow
as he is, with his good looks, rank, and accomplishments, would be the very
husband for her. Visions of balls in Portland Place, presentations at court, and
introductions to half the peerage, filled the minds of the young ladies, who
talked of nothing but George and his grand acquaintances to their beloved new
friend.
    Old Osborne thought she would be a great match, too, for his son. He should
leave the army; he should go into Parliament; he should cut a figure in the
fashion and in the state. His blood boiled with honest