Vanity Fair

YOUNG ADULT

READERS

STAGE 5

Vanity Fair A Novel without a Hero Vanity Fair was written 200 years ago, but it is a thoroughly modern story that provides us with universal truths about what it means to be human, in all its splendour – and with all its imperfections. It is a story full of memorable characters who accompany you on a fascinating journey through the first part of the nineteenth century. A journey full of comedy, tragedy, romance and adventure.

In this reader you will find: - Information about William Makepeace Thackeray’s life - Sections focusing on background and context - Glossary of difficult words - Comprehension activities - CAE-style activities - Exit test

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WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY VANITY FAIR: A NOVEL WITHOUT A HERO

William Makepeace Thackeray

STAGE 5

Eli Readers is a beautifully illustrated series of timeless classics and specially-written stories for learners of English.

WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY VANITY FAIR A NOVEL WITHOUT A HERO

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William Makepeace Thackeray

Vanity Fair A Novel without a Hero

Adaptation and Activities by Michael Lacey Freeman Illustrated by Gloria Pizzilli

YOUNG ADULT

READERS

Vanity Fair William Makepeace Thackeray Adaptation and Activities by Michael Lacey Freeman Language Consultant: Alison Smith Illustrated by Gloria Pizzilli ELI Readers Founder and Series Editors Paola Accattoli, Grazia Ancillani, Daniele Garbuglia (Art Director) Graphic Design Airone Comunicazione - Sergio Elisei Layout Airone Comunicazione Production Manager Francesco Capitano Photo credits Shutterstock © 2015 ELI s.r.l.

P.O. Box 6 62019 Recanati MC Italy T +39 071750701 F +39 071977851 info@elionline.com www.elionline.com Printed in Italy by Tecnostampa Recanati – ERA504.01 ISBN 978-88-536-2034-7 First edition: March 2015 www.elireaders.com

Contents 6

Main Characters

8

Pre-Reading Activities

10

Chapter One

20

Activities

24

Chapter Two

34

Activities

38

Chapter Three

48

Activities

52

Chapter Four

62

Activities

66

Chapter Five

76

Activities

80

Chapter Six

90

Activities

94

Chapter Seven

Amelia and Becky A Bottle of Champagne A Marriage Proposal Private and Public Battles The Enemy Approaching Time Marches On Amelia’s Choice

104 Activities 108 Chapter Eight

The Terrible Discovery

118 Activities 122 Chapter Nine

The Homecoming

132 Activities 134 Focus on...

The Author – William Makepeace Thackeray

136 Focus on...

The Novel – Vanity Fair

138 Focus on...

The Serial Novel

140 Focus on...

Waterloo

142 Test yourself 143 Syllabus These icons indicate the parts of the story that are recorded start stop

6

7

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Speaking 1

Think about the title of this book, and look at the front cover.

What do you think the story will be about?

2a Read the first paragraph of the story in Chapter 1. Why do you think the author compares Vanity Fair to a theatre with performers and an audience?

2b Read the second paragraph of the story. Why do you think the characters in the story, Amelia and Becky, are referred to as puppets?

3 Vanity Fair is set in the early 1800’s. If you had to travel back in time and had to live in this period what difficulties would you have? Think of the following.

1 2 3 4 5 6

■ Transport and travel ■ Communication ■ Entertainment and leisure ■ Work ■ Education ■ Love

Writing 4 In the first chapter, we meet Amelia and Becky. Look at their pictures on pages 6 & 7. What can you understand about their characters from their expressions?

Amelia seems …..…..…..…..…..….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….…..…..…..…... .................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................

Becky seems …..…..…..…..…..….…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….…..…..…..…... .................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................

8

Vocabulary 5a Vanity obviously plays a large part in this story. Most of the characters are vain. Reorder the letters below to find other examples of faults that people have in the story. Use the definitions to help you.

1 Envious about the success of another person.

2 A person who doesn’t tell the truth.

3 A person who thinks he is important and doesn’t like to admit he’s wrong.

4 A person who thinks he’s better than most others.

5 A person who doesn’t care when others are in difficulty.

6 A person who isn’t very intelligent.

sealjou …………………….. nidsetosh …………………….

doupr

…………………….

bibshnos …………………….. derntffiein …………………….. ontarign ……………………..

5b Write down the noun forms of the adjectives above.

Grammar 6 Read this paragraph which explains the context in which Vanity Fair was written and put in a suitable word for each gap.

The story of Vanity Fair is set in Britain, during a time (1) …..… great social change. In this period, (2) …..… British navy was very strong, allowing the economy to expand rapidly through trade. Despite (3) …..… position of strength, it was a time of great uncertainty. Britain was (4) …..… war with France and some of the characters in the story are officers in the army, and so the conflict plays an important part (5) …..… the story.

Thanks to the strength of the economy, a strong merchant class was developing. This growing middle class wanted more power and influence over (6) …..… the country was run. During the story we meet characters who (7) …..… gained wealth through inheriting land and privilege, and (8) …..… who have earned it through their success in the market. The story develops against the background of (9) …..… tensions, and all the characters are influenced (10) …..… these great events.

9

Chapter One

Amelia and Becky

2 Welcome to Vanity Fair! The manager of the theatre is waiting impatiently.

It’s nearly time to begin our show. From behind the curtain, he can see the audience. It’s very noisy out there. There is a great deal of eating and drinking, laughing and smoking and fighting, and dancing.

The performance is about to begin. I promise you scenes of battle, of romance and comedy. Our puppets are ready to come on the stage, and we will start our story with Amelia and Becky. And now the manager bows to his audience, and the curtain rises. Let the performance begin! === Our story begins just outside Miss Pinkerton’s Academy for Young Ladies at Chiswick Mall in London. A large family carriage is waiting for two young ladies. They are about to leave the school to begin their life in the adult world. But the two ladies are leaving under very different circumstances.

Miss Pinkerton herself looked at the carriage from the window of her office. She was with her sister, Jemima.

‘Have you completed all the preparations for their departure Jemima?’ asked Miss Pinkerton.

‘Everything is ready,’ replied Jemima.

‘Well, send in Amelia Sedley,’ said Miss Pinkerton.

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Amelia came into the office, and smiled sweetly at the great lady.

‘Miss Sedley you are ready to occupy your rightful position in society.

You have been hard working and obedient. And you have charmed all those around you. You have made many friends. And you have excelled in Music, in Dancing, and Religion. We will remember you fondly.’ And with these solemn* words, she presented Amelia Sedley with a prized copy of Doctor Samuel Johnson’s dictionary.

‘Thank you for everything,’ replied Amelia with a sweet smile.

And then she left. She stepped out of the school with a feeling of joy and a touch of sadness. She was happy and excited to start her life as a young woman, but she knew she would miss her classmates terribly.

‘At least Becky is coming to stay with me for two weeks to keep me company,’ she thought.

Becky had no such regrets about her departure. School had finished. ‘This period of slavery is finally over,’ she thought as she stepped boldly* into Miss Pinkerton’s office.

‘Mademoiselle, Je viens vous faire mes adieux,’ said Becky, knowing perfectly well that Miss Pinkerton didn’t speak a word of French.

‘Miss Sharp, I wish you a good morning,’ replied Miss Pinkerton.

That was it. There was no dictionary for Becky. There were no words of praise. Nobody cared when Becky stepped out of the school, while there had been plenty of tears for Amelia.

Becky and Amelia settled into the carriage, ready for their departure, but just as they were about to leave, they heard a voice, ‘Wait! Wait!’ It was Miss Pinkerton’s sister, Jemima. ‘Here are some sandwiches, just in case you get hungry. And Becky here’s your copy of the dictionary. Goodbye! God bless you!’

solemn very serious boldly confidently, without fear

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The coach rode off, and as Jemima turned to wave at the passing carriage, Becky opened the window and threw her dictionary into the garden.

‘Thank God I am free,’ said Becky as she sat down again, with a satisfied look on her face.

‘How could you do that to the dictionary?’ said Amelia.

‘I hated that school,’ replied Becky. ‘For two years Miss Pinkerton has insulted me. I have been treated like a servant. Talking French to her was fun. She was too proud to admit that she does not know a word of French. So, “Vive La France,” “Vive Bonaparte!”’

‘Becky! How can you say such a thing! Have you forgotten that we are at war with France?’

‘I do not care about the war. I have just won my own little war against Pinkerton. I am no angel you know.’ And indeed she wasn’t.

Becky’s parents had both died. They had left Becky with nothing.

Becky’s father had been an artist, and a teacher at the school. He was a clever man, but careless with money. Too much money was spent on beer in the taverns around London and he owed money everywhere.

Becky’s mother was French, and little was known about her origins.

It was because Becky could speak French well that she was invited to become a student at the school, but Miss Pinkerton was unaware that she had invited a dangerous bird into her cage. Becky’s duties were to talk French, and in return she could study with the more fortunate students. She had learnt well, but she had been disruptive. Now she was to become a governess*. A simple governess.

‘Well, I have two weeks at Amelia’s house before I become a governess,’ thought Becky. ‘Let me see what I can do to change my fortunes.’

governess a person employed to teach and look after children

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Soon the coach arrived in Russell Square. Amelia was home! The two young ladies were met in the hall by Amelia’s mother and father and all the servants. When the introductions were over, Amelia and Becky were free to explore every inch of the grand house. Amelia showed Becky her books, her piano, her dresses, and her other clothes.

‘Look, here are some scarves that my brother gave me. They’re from India, where he has made his fortune. Would you like one of them? I am sure my brother would not mind.’

‘It must be wonderful to have a brother. I am all alone in this world.’

‘Not alone,’ replied Amelia. ‘For you are like a sister to me.’

‘But to have parents like you have, who give you everything you need. And then you have a brother, a dear brother. Oh, how you must love him.’

Amelia laughed. ‘I do not think Joseph cares whether I love him or not. He is kind and good, but he hardly ever speaks to me. I was only five when he went away to India.’

‘And your sister-in-law. Is she a nice, pretty woman?’ asked Becky.

‘Oh no. He is not married,’ replied Amelia. And that is precisely what Becky wanted to know.

‘If Joseph is rich and unmarried,’ she thought, ‘why should I not marry him? At least I can try. The time to act is now.’

And so it was that not many hours later Amelia and Becky were greeted in the drawing room by a big, clumsy* man, dressed in an apple-green coat with large buttons. But this man looked like he didn’t belong in these boldly coloured clothes. In fact he didn’t look as if he belonged anywhere. Joseph moved around nervously as the

clumsy to move without confidence

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william makepeace thackeray

two women approached him, his red face contrasting with the green of his coat.

‘It is only your sister, Joseph,’ said Amelia laughing.

‘Well, that is, yes, I mean, well, … what terrible weather we have,’ replied Joseph.

‘He is very handsome,’ whispered Becky to Amelia.

‘Do you think so? I will tell him,’ whispered back Amelia.

‘Oh no, say nothing,’ said Becky. Becky’s expression was now timid and submissive*. But her whisper had not been timid. It had been loud enough for Joseph to hear. And so now, the trap had been set.

‘Thank you for your scarves brother.’

‘Well,’ said Joseph, ‘what do you mean? My coach, you know, I must go.’ The poor man was staring at the ground, trying desperately to avoid the gaze of the two women before him. Just as he was about to make a quick exit, Mr. Sedley entered the drawing room.

‘Joseph, you are not about to leave, are you? You know we made plans to dine together.’

‘But, but…’

‘No buts Joseph. You are eating with us,’ interrupted the father.

Becky had made her first move. And it had certainly made an impact on poor Joseph. Joseph was a very vain man. The mirror was his best friend, and he would often rush back to his house to change his clothes in the middle of the day. And so those words, “He is very handsome,” pleased him greatly, but they also sent him into a panic.

‘Does she really think I am handsome? Or is she making fun of me?’

He had this question in his mind as he went downstairs to dinner.

‘I must be very quiet,’ thought Becky. ‘And very interested in India.’

submissive a person who gives in to others easily

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vanity fair

‘Oh, Indian food,’ said Becky when she looked at the plates in front of her. ‘I have never eaten it before.’

‘Try it,’ replied Joseph. ‘Mother makes a fine curry.’

‘Excellent…Excellent,’ she said as she had her first taste of Indian cuisine. ‘Oh no, oh dear! Water, Water!’ demanded Becky after her first mouthful. It was hot. It was spicy. And it was like nothing she had ever tasted before.

‘Ha-ha-ha,’ laughed Joseph childishly.

‘I am sorry,’ she said, when she had recovered sufficiently. ‘I should have been more careful.’

Becky made every effort to regain control of the situation. She laughed at Mr. Sedley’s jokes, nodded enthusiastically at Joseph’s stories, and she dropped her handkerchief twice so that Joseph could retrieve it for her.

After dinner, the ladies went back into the drawing room. Joseph sat down to help himself to some wine. ‘A nice, merry woman,’ he thought.

‘And how she looked at me when I picked up her handkerchief at dinner.’

His thoughts were interrupted however, by the sound of a voice coming from the drawing room. Becky was singing. And it was beautiful. ‘My, oh my, what a beautiful voice,’ he thought, and then his expression changed, panic set in, and he ran, into his carriage and away into the night.

Joseph’s panic lasted for three days. ‘I just need more time,’ thought Becky. ‘It is going so well.’ Becky had a talent for understanding vanity. ‘That comment, “He is very handsome,” should bring him back soon,’ she thought.

And she was right. After three days, Joseph was back for dinner.

‘Right, this is your chance,’ thought Becky. She prepared herself for

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the battle ahead, and stepped into the drawing room, where she was greeted by Amelia’s brother.

‘Good afternoon Joseph,’ said Becky. ‘It is very nice to see you again after our eventful dinner three days ago. That curry was very interesting. But I shall be more careful in following your suggestions from now on. Just think, a poor defenceless girl like me.’

‘But, Miss Sharp, I would never hurt you,’ replied Joseph.

And then Becky made her second move. ‘I know,’ she replied. And then she touched Joseph, ever so slightly on the hand. Joseph stepped back in a panic. His heart was beating fast, and once again he stared at the floor.

It was an advance. It was bold. But, dear reader, I must remind you that Becky was alone in the world. She had to do everything for herself. She had no mother or father to assist her, and to push her in the right direction.

‘Oh dear!’ thought Joseph as he entered the dining room. He was agitated once more.

His mood was soon calmed however, by Becky’s questions. ‘What is it like in India?’ ‘How do you deal with the hot weather?’ ‘Tell me about your job.’ Joseph settled into his role of educator. He told Becky about his Indian adventure, allowing himself more than a little space for exaggeration.

Amelia wanted to bring Becky and her brother together. It was true that Becky didn’t have a mother, but maybe she could push things in the right direction. ‘When I was a girl at school,’ said Amelia, ‘Joseph promised that he would take me to dinner at the Vauxhall Gardens.

16

vanity fair

Now that Becky is with us, it would be just the perfect moment to honour that promise.’

‘Why not go tomorrow?’ suggested Amelia’s father.

After a glass or two of champagne, Joseph had sufficient courage to agree to take the ladies to the Vauxhall Gardens the next evening.

‘But there must be a gentleman for Amelia as well,’ said Amelia’s father. ‘What about George Osborne? I am sure he would be happy to come.’

And now it was Amelia’s turn to blush. For George had always had a special place in her heart. Amelia had been engaged to George since they were children. Now that Amelia had left school, and George was a captain in the army, why shouldn’t Amelia enjoy some romance as well?

That night Becky couldn’t sleep. ‘Will he come tomorrow or not?’ was the question she had in her head. Becky's question was answered at around lunchtime the next day. Joseph arrived. He had never come to Russell Square so early. George Osborne arrived early as well, and was already in the house.

Joseph stepped into the drawing-room to meet Becky, with an enormous bunch of flowers, fresh from Covent Garden.

‘Oh, what beautiful flowers,’ said Becky. ‘I must finish making a scarf. Will you help me?’ And so, Joseph Sedley, of the East India Company, sat opposite the young lady. His arms were stretched out, and were bound in a web of green wool. While Becky worked, Joseph was lost in his own thoughts. ‘I shall propose tonight at the Vauxhall Club,’ is what he said to himself.

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Time passed quickly, and soon Becky, Amelia, Joseph and George were ready to go to the Vauxhall. But wait, I see another person sitting with them in the drawing-room. His name is Dobbin. When George Osborne had arrived that afternoon he said to the ladies, ‘I have asked Captain Dobbin to come with us to Vauxhall. I hope you do not mind.’

And so it was that when Amelia came down the stairs into the drawing room in a white dress, ready for her evening and full of expectation, she was met by a tall, clumsy gentleman, with large hands and feet. He had arrived with a timid knock at the door, so quiet that the ladies upstairs could hardly hear it. When Dobbin saw Amelia’s sweet face, it went straight into his heart and stayed there.

While bowing clumsily Dobbin thought, ‘Well, is it possible that you are the little girl I met so long ago, who George has said he will marry? Well, what a prize George has got.’

Dobbin and George had been friends since school. He was always

by George’s side in times of trouble. Good, dependable Dobbin. Over time, George didn’t even seem to mind that Dobbin’s father was only a merchant. Money was money after all. ‘There is not a better officer in the army than Dobbin,’ said George with some certainty. But Amelia thought that there was a better officer. In her little heart, she thought that in his Majesty’s army, or in the whole world there never was such a face, or such a hero as George.

Everyone thought that Joseph would propose to Becky at the Vauxhall. Fortune seemed to be smiling on her. ‘All I want is a proposal,’ she thought. ‘How I wish I had a mother, she could manage all this business in ten minutes.’

18

AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Are these statements true (T) or false (F)?

T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Miss Pinkerton only gives dictionaries to her favourite students.

Many people were upset when Becky left the school.

Becky didn’t want to become a governess.

Becky wanted to marry Joseph because she loved him.

Becky had two weeks to get Joseph to propose to her.

Joseph didn’t hear Becky saying ‘He is very handsome.’

Dobbin had seen Amelia before.

Dobbin and George were officers in the army.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

2 Why does Becky say ‘Vive La France!’ on page 12? Tick the correct option.

1 2 3 4

■ Because her mother was French.

■ Because she wants France to defeat Britain in the war.

■ Because she embarrassed Miss Pinkerton by speaking French.

■ Because she speaks French well.

Vocabulary 3 Match a verb in the first column to a suitable word or words in the second one to make some expressions from Chapter 1.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

20

■ to bow ■ to excel ■ to charm ■ to owe ■ to whisper ■ to rush ■ to drop ■ to honour

a a secret b a promise c to an audience d in French e some money f a handkerchief g back to his house h a person

Note Taking 4a Look at some notes about Amelia and Becky. Which descriptions would you associate with Amelia (A), and which with Becky (B)?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

comes from a good home scandal in the family disrespectful to people in authority cunning and dishonest generous and easy going has a lot of money sweet smile support from family beautiful voice no family popular, lots of friends

……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............……..

4b Now writes some notes about the character of Joseph. ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………...

Writing 5 What three signs does Becky give Joseph that she is interested in him.

1 ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………

2 ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………

3 ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………

21

Grammar 6 Read the sentences about Becky. Use the word in bold to make a second sentence that has the same meaning as the first sentence.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

22

Nobody cared when Becky left the school.

STEPPED Nobody cared when ……………………………………………………… the school.

Becky felt that she was treated like a servant at the school.

BETTER Becky was treated ……………………………………………………… at the school.

Becky had to marry Joseph to avoid becoming a governess.

IF Becky had to marry Joseph ……………………………………………………… becoming a governess.

Becky said it was a pity that she didn't have a brother.

LIKED Becky said she ……………………………………………………… have a brother.

‘I must be very quiet, and very interested in India,’ thought Becky.

HAD Becky thought that ……………………………………………………… in India.

Becky had to try to impress Joseph.

MAKE Becky had ……………………………………………………… on Joseph.

Becky had a talent for understanding vanity.

GOOD Becky ……………………………………………………… vain people.

Despite having little time to convince Joseph, she believed that she could succeed.

ALTHOUGH She believed that she could succeed ……………………………………………………… to convince Joseph.

Speaking 7 Look again at the illustration in Chapter 1 on page 19. What impression does it give you of the relationship between Becky and Joseph?

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Speaking 8 What does the future hold for Amelia and Becky? Who do you think will do better in the story?

9 The next chapter begins with the evening at the Vauxhall Gardens. The title of the chapter is ‘A bottle of Champagne.’

Considering this title, what do you think will happen at the Vauxhall Gardens?

10 Will Becky marry Joseph? What do you think will happen to her if she does? What kind of future do you think she will have if she doesn’t?

Writing 11 Look at the picture on page 29 and write a description of it. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....……….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….…....……….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....……….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….…....………..

23

Chapter Two

A Bottle of Champagne

The carriage stopped outside the Vauxhall, and our passengers got out. ‘Oh, Dobbin,’ said George. ‘Can you look after the coats, my good man?’ While the others made their way into the gardens, Dobbin made sure the coats were in a safe place, and paid at the door for the whole group. Then he walked modestly behind the others. Seeing Amelia walking with his friend George Osborne, a thought came to his mind. Maybe he would like to have something on his arm besides some coats. But Dobbin didn’t have a selfish bone in his body, and as long as his friend was enjoying himself, how could he be unhappy?

Becky took Joseph’s arm while they were walking. ‘How I would like to see India,’ she remarked.

‘Really!’ replied Joseph. His heart was beating fast. The two couples arrived at their seats while Dobbin looked on. He knew that he would be forgotten tonight. And to be alone at the Vauxhall is a very sad experience. So he decided to go for a walk and leave the happy couples to their conversation. Joseph soon forgot how critical the situation was. He started to enjoy himself. He ordered the waiters about with great majesty*, he opened the champagne bottle, and cut the chicken, and ate and drank almost all of it. For most people that

majesty like a king

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would have been enough. They would have been full. But not Joseph.

He decided to order another bottle of champagne.

And it was this extra champagne that will change the whole course of this story. Dear reader, you may ask yourself how a bottle of champagne can change destiny. Well, why not? Here is what happened.

The young ladies didn’t drink the champagne. George didn’t like it either, and so Joseph drank it all himself. He became lively – too lively.

He began to talk and laugh so loudly that he attracted other listeners at nearby tables. And then, to everybody’s horror, he began to sing.

‘Bravo fat one!’ said one listener.

‘Sing another,’ said a man standing next to him. Joseph was becoming a figure of fun, much to the annoyance of George Osborne.

‘For heaven’s sake Joseph, we should go,’ cried George. The young women rose to leave.

‘Stop, my dearest diddle-diddle darling!’ shouted Joseph, and he grabbed Becky’s arm and sat her down again. Joseph continued to drink, to flirt, and to sing, waving his glass gracefully to his growing audience. He invited them to share his champagne. Just as George was about to confront someone who wanted to take advantage of this invitation, who should step in but a gentleman of the name of Dobbin.

‘Go away you fools!’ shouted Dobbin. And the crowd that had gathered disappeared before his fierce words.

‘Good heavens where have you been Dobbin?’ said George. ‘Make yourself useful and deal with Joseph here, while I take the ladies to the carriage. Joseph began to object, but soon stopped when he saw

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George’s expression. And so George was able to remove the ladies to safety. Taking Dobbin’s hand, Joseph began to confess his love for the girl that had just left.

‘I will marry her tomorrow morning at St. George’s Hanover Square. I will wake up the Archbishop of Canterbury if I have to.’

The ladies returned to Russell Square, trying to make sense of what had just happened. ‘He must propose tomorrow,’ thought Becky. ‘He called me his soul’s darling four times. He grabbed my hand in front of Amelia. He will propose tomorrow.’ Amelia was of the same opinion.

The next morning, Joseph was groaning* in agony on the sofa. He had a terrible headache. George and Dobbin were looking down at him in this state and they exchanged grins*.

‘How are you Joseph?’ asked George. ‘No bones broken I hope.’

‘I behaved terribly,’ replied Joseph. George had no hesitation in reminding Joseph of everything he had done the night before.

He was not too happy with the idea that a member of a family, into which he intended to marry, should be involved with a simple governess.

‘Do you remember singing a song?’ asked George.

‘I sang a song!’ replied Joseph.

On their way out, Dobbin spoke to his friend about being so direct.

‘You should not have been so hard on him, you know.’

‘Why? Who is this little schoolgirl he is so interested in? I would rather have a lady for my sister-in-law. I am a liberal man, but, you know, I come from one of the oldest families in England. Becky should know her place.’

to groan the noise you make when in pain or discomfort grin a cynical smile

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Becky was waiting anxiously for news of Joseph when George arrived. George described Joseph’s condition to the two young ladies, and it was obvious that he was enjoying himself.

‘It is cruel of you to laugh,’ said Amelia.

‘Oh if you could have seen him this morning, in his flowered dressing gown, groaning on the sofa.’

And it was at this point that Becky realised. ‘This George is no friend of mine.’ she thought. ‘He has been making fun of me, and he is my enemy, I am sure of that.’

Joseph didn’t come all day, or the next day. The day after that however, the ladies were sitting on the sofa when a servant arrived with a letter in his hands.

‘Note from Mr. Joseph, miss,’ he said. Amelia trembled as she opened it.

Dear Amelia, Please excuse me for my conduct at Vauxhall. I ask you to pardon me for every word I said at the dinner. As soon as I have recovered, for my health is quite bad, I shall go to Scotland for some months.

And so it was all over. Amelia didn’t dare to look at Becky’s face as she dropped the letter into her lap.

And so it was that Becky had to make preparations for her departure. She was to become a governess after all. ‘It was George Osborne who prevented my marriage,’ she thought.

Finally the day came when Becky had to leave for her new job.

Amelia and Becky parted, promising to love each other and be friends forever. ===

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Becky cried as she left in the carriage. But as soon as the carriage turned the corner, away from Russell Square, she dried her eyes and looked at the letter she had received a few days before.

Sir Pitt Crawley kindly asks Miss Sharp to be here on Tuesday, as I leave for the town of Queen’s Crawley tomorrow, early in the morning.

Sir Pitt Crawley Great Gaunt Street, London.

Becky had never seen a baronet* before. ‘I wonder what he will be like,’ she thought. ‘I suppose he will be handsomely dressed.

He will be very proud, have perfect manners, and I will be treated with contempt*. Well, I shall deal with that. At least I shall be with gentlemen, and not with these vulgar, city people.’

Soon the carriage arrived at Great Gaunt Street. It stopped in front of a tall, gloomy house. The windows were closed on the first floor, while those of the dining-room on the second floor were partially open.

The door was opened by a man in short trousers. He wore an old coat, and a dirty neck-cloth was tied around his unshaven neck.

He had a shiny, bald head and a red face. ‘Is this Sir Pitt Crawley’s residence?’ asked Becky.

‘Yes, come this this way,’ said the man.

The bald-headed man took his hands out of his pockets and carried Becky’s belongings into the house. They went into the diningroom. The house was dark and dull. The carpets were rolled up, and the pictures were covered with brown paper. The only way one could know that this room was a dining-room was by the shape of the covered table and chairs. ‘Not much of a dining-room,’ thought

baronet a member of the nobility contempt to be seen as inferior

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Becky. On the table there was some bread and cheese. ‘And not much to dine on either.’

‘You’ve had your dinner I suppose,’ said the old man. ‘Do you want some beer?’ he added.

‘Where is Sir Pitt Crawley?’ asked Becky, majestically.

‘I’m here,’ responded the bald-headed man. Becky tried not to look surprised. ‘I’m here on business, my dear. And that’s why I’ll have the pleasure of your company tomorrow, when you go back to Queen’s Crawley. It’s time for bed. You’ll sleep with my servant Tinker tonight. It’s a big bed, and there’s room for two. The first Lady Crawley died in it. Goodnight.’

Becky tried not to think of her dirty bed, but she remained awake for a long time thinking about the new world she was about to enter, and already she began to calculate how much success she would have there.

The next morning Becky found herself in another carriage – on her way to Queen’s Crawley in Hampshire. As soon as she arrived, she wasted no time in writing to Amelia.

My dearest, sweetest Amelia, I will not tell you how sad I am to be separated from you. Now I am friendless and alone.

Sir Pitt is not what you would imagine a Baronet to be like. He is old, short, vulgar and dirty. He is very mean and watches every penny he spends.

We arrived at Queen’s Crawley yesterday. The house is an old-fashioned mansion, with tall chimneys. It is enormous. I think there are at least twenty rooms just on the first floor. The great hall has a large fireplace and…

Here I am again my dear. I was interrupted last night by Sir Pitt Crawley in his dressing gown. He took my candle. He told me that there are no candles

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after eleven pm. So I had to stop writing this letter. Anyway, I was telling you about the house. The school room is on the second floor. I will teach Sir Pitt’s children there. They are eight and ten years old. Sir Pitt has two other children from his first marriage.

Half an hour after our arrival, the dinner bell was rung – and I came down to dine. There I met Sir Pitt’s second wife – the second Lady Crawley – and the mother of the children I am teaching. She is pale, in fact she looks quite ill, and she does not speak very much. Then there was Mr. Crawley, – one of Sir Pitt’s sons from his first marriage. He is pale, thin, ugly and silent.

Apparently he is a very religious man. There is another son from Sir Pitt’s first marriage, but I haven’t met him yet.

Give my love to your dear mother and father. And I hope your brother is feeling better, Ever yours Becky Becky finished the letter, and thought about her future. ‘Now I have to make myself agreeable to these people. I have to gain their confidence. I am not as lucky as that pink-faced little girl Amelia, who is not half as clever as me. She has ten thousand pounds, her future is secure. And what do I have? Just my intelligence. I do not dislike Amelia. Who could dislike such a harmless, good-natured creature?

But one day I will take my place above her in the world.’

We have already witnessed Becky’s capacity to charm a man.

It wasn’t long before she used these abilities to charm the people around her at Queen’s Crawley. Becky set to work immediately to make herself absolutely indispensable. No task was too much for her.

Nothing was too much trouble.

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Becky didn’t worry about Lady Crawley. She seemed to be of no importance whatsoever, but with Mr. Crawley, Becky was respectful and obedient. She consulted him on passages of French that she pretended not to understand, and was often brought to tears by the religious speeches he would make in the evening. Becky found many different ways of being useful to Sir Pitt. She helped him with business matters, she volunteered to copy many of his letters, and she took an interest in all of his affairs.

Before a year had passed she had won over* all the members of the family. The Baronet was especially impressed with her, and the conversation at the dinner table was now almost exclusively between Sir Pitt and Miss Becky Sharp. The gossip of the servants at this time was all about Becky.

The new governess is a good manager. Sir Pitt seems very impressed by her. She writes his letters, does his business, and manages his accounts. She has become indispensable. Mr. Crawley seems fond of her too. He’s always reading to her from the bible.

It was Christmas and some time had passed since Becky’s last letter to Amelia. And soon events encouraged her to write again.

Dear Amelia, If I have not written to you for many weeks, it is only because things do not change very much here. Every day is much like the next. For a few days now something has changed though. Old Miss Crawley has arrived. She is Sir Pitt’s sister, and she is very rich. All of the members of the family are fighting to get her cushions and fetch her coffee. Now we have dinner-parties.

Just imagine! We never have dinner-parties normally. We drink champagne and wine as if it is a normal everyday occurrence. There are no more limits on the candles and the house is always warm.

to win over to convince somebody to be on your side

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Lady Crawley still looks ill but she wears her best clothes, as do the children.

Ps. I have finally met Captain Rawdon Crawley, the mysterious other son. Surprise, Surprise! He arrived just after Old Miss Crawley. He is tall and very handsome. He has a loud voice and he uses it a great deal. But all the servants adore him because he is generous. He even paid me a compliment the other day. “What a pretty little girl she is!” I heard him say to some friends.

So there were two new people in Becky’s life. Two other members of the Crawley family that she had to impress, convince and conquer.

Sir Pitt’s sister, Old Miss Crawley, had arrived. She possessed seventy thousand pounds, and you can be sure that her family loved her seventy thousand pounds more than they loved her. Her presence always changed things at Queen’s Crawley. Sir Pitt was always very polite when his sister came to visit. And his son, Mr. Crawley, even stopped praying at dinner, because it annoyed her.

And there was Mr. Crawley’s brother, Rawdon Crawley. He was totally different from his religious brother. He was a soldier. Captain Rawdon Crawley gambled, flirted, and got into fights, but silly, romantic old Miss Crawley was always ready to pay his debts. ‘He is young, and that is how young boys should behave,’ she would say.

‘Not like that hypocrite brother of his, with all of his prayers.’ It was well known that Old Miss Crawley intended to leave a large part of her fortune to the young, hot-headed Rawdon.

So, will Becky succeed in winning over these two new people in her life? What strategies will she employ? We are about to find out.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading Comprehension 1

Read Becky's descriptions of the people in this chapter. Who is she describing?

1 He is pale, thin, ugly and silent.

2 She looks ill, and she does not speak very much.

3 He has a shiny bald head and a red face.

4 She is a pink-faced little girl.

5 He is tall and handsome, and has a loud voice.

……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............……..

2 Read the sentences and decide who is speaking.

1 ‘Stop my dearest diddle-diddle darling.’

2 ‘How I would like to see India.’

3 ‘Who is this little schoolgirl he is so interested in?’

4 ‘Go away you fools.’

5 ‘It is cruel of you to laugh.’

6 ‘Do you want some beer?’

……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............…….. ……............……..

3 Are you familiar now with the Crawley family? Cross out the incorrect word(s).

1 Sir Pitt’s family live in Great Gaunt Street/Queen’s Crawley.

2 Sir Pitt has two/four children.

3 Old Miss Crawley is Sir Pitt’s aunt/sister.

4 Rawdon Crawley is Mr. Crawley’s brother/cousin.

5 Lady Crawley is Sir Pitt’s first/second wife.

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Writing 4 Write down what Becky does to impress the members of the Crawley family.

1 Sir Pitt 2 Old Miss Crawley 3 Rawdon Crawley 4 Mr. Crawley 5 Lady Crawley

……............……..…...................................…............…….. ……............……..…...................................…............…….. ……............……..…...................................…............…….. ……............……..…...................................…............…….. ……............……..…...................................…............……..

Note Taking 5 Make some notes about the character Sir Pitt Crawley. ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………....... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………....... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………....... ……………………………………………………………………...................…………………………....... ……………………………………………………………………...................………………………….......

Speaking 6 Amelia and Becky parted, promising to love each other, and to be friends forever. Do you think they will remain friends? What problems in their friendship could arise?

Think of the following: - Their status in society - Where they live - Their personalities

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Grammar 7 Read the sentences below and complete them.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

If Amelia hadn’t suggested going to the Vauxhall Gardens, ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

If Joseph hadn’t drunk so much champagne, ……....................…….. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

If Dobbin hadn't intervened at the Vauxhall Gardens, ................. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

If Goerge hadn't been so direct with Joseph, ……....................…….. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

If Becky had married Joseph, ……............….......................................….. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

If Sir Pitt had dressed more like a Baronet, ……........................…….. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

If Old Miss Crawley hadn’t come to visit, …….............................…….. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

If Old Miss Crawley hadn’t been so rich, ……..............................…….. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…

Vocabulary 8 Look at some of the adjectives used in Chapter 2 and transform them into nouns.

1 selfish 2 modest 3 lively 4 useful 5 cruel 6 vulgar 7 gloomy 8 dirty

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……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. …………………………….

9 dark 10 ill 11 silent 12 warm 13 polite 14 generous 15 normal

……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. …………………………….

9 Most of the characters in the story do not use the contracted form when they speak or write, but Sir Pitt Crawley does.

Why do you think this is? Read what Sir Pitt Crawley says in Chapter 2.

‘I’m here on business, my dear. And that’s why I’ll have the pleasure of your company tomorrow, when you go back to Queen’s Crawley. It’s time for bed. You’ll sleep with my servant Tinker tonight. It’s a big bed, and there’s room for two.’

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Speaking 10a The next chapter is called A Marriage Proposal. Who do you think will propose?

1 ■ George to Amelia.

2 ■ Dobbin to Amelia.

3 ■ Joseph to Becky.

4 ■ Rawdon to Becky.

10b Will the proposal be accepted? How do you think the people involved will feel?

Writing 11a Now look at the picture on page 45. Write a description of the scene. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…….. …..……………………………………………………………………...................……………….…....… ……..……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....… ………..……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....

11b What do you think Sir Pitt is doing? Do you want to change your answer to question 10a? Read on and find out what happens.

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Chapter Three

A Marriage Proposal

3 A family at war was enjoying a brief period of peace. Everybody tried

to make a good impression on Old Miss Crawley. The person who made the greatest impression, however, was Becky.

Becky and the old lady talked together, and dined together. Becky was invited to the dinner table with all kinds of guests, and when the dining was over Miss Crawley would often say ‘Come to my dressingroom Becky – we can talk about the guests this evening.’ Her modest origins didn’t seem to be a problem for the old lady. ‘All these people you see at dinner. Is anyone of them equal to you in intelligence and manners? No, I say. You are a little jewel.’ Often the conversation would turn to another favourite of Miss Crawley’s, Captain Rawdon.

‘Is he very clever?’ Becky asked.

‘Clever! No my dear,’ said Miss Crawley. ‘He does not have an idea in the world, apart from his horses, his hunting, and his gambling.

But he will succeed. He is delightful.’

Becky wrote more letters to her friend at Russell Square. And the captain figured more and more in her accounts of life at Queen’s Crawley.

The Captain had gone for a walk with her. The Captain had listened to her playing the piano. The Captain had written her a note. This promising relationship did not escape the attention of others in the Crawley family.

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=== We must now temporarily return to Russell Square because poor little Amelia’s heart was breaking. She waited for her precious moments with George, when he could find the time. He was always so busy playing cards, and entertaining friends. Amelia didn’t care about the war in Europe with France. The war for her was tied to the fate of Captain George Osborne.

She thought about him the moment she woke up and he was the very last name she mentioned in her prayers before going to bed.

When George was away with his regiment they wrote to each other.

Amelia’s letters were long and loving while his letters were short and soldier-like. Dobbin soon noticed that George was neglecting* Amelia.

‘Are you engaged to be married or not?’ asked Dobbin.

‘What does that matter to you or anyone else?’

‘Are you ashamed of it?’

‘I am a man of honour,’ said George.

‘Well then, go home and see her more, instead of going to these gambling houses.’

‘I am very fond of Amelia. I adore her, and that sort of thing. Why do you look so angry? She is perfection, I know she is. I must enjoy myself, though. When I am back home. When I am married, I will reform. I will.’

‘I wish you had seen Amelia’s face when she asked me about you the other day,’ Dobbin replied. ‘Go and comfort her. Write her a long letter. Do something to make her happy. It will not take much effort.’

‘I believe she is fond of me …yes,’ but after saying that he went off to finish the evening with some friends.

The day after this conversation however, George decided to go to town to see Amelia, and to show Dobbin that he was a man of his

to neglect to pay little or no attention to

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word. ‘I would like to take her a little present, but I do not have any money at present,’ he said to Dobbin. Dobbin readily gave George some money.

Maybe George would have bought Amelia a little something, if he hadn’t been attracted by an elegant pair of trousers in a shop window.

He just couldn’t resist getting them for himself.

Never mind. We can be sure that it wasn’t a present Amelia was waiting for when she saw George arriving at Russell Square. Her face lit up, as if there had been sunshine. Not long after his arrival however, George began to feel restless. He soon left Amelia because he had to see his father. He was in need of some money, now that he had spent what Dobbin had given him.

George found his father in his study. ‘Good afternoon, sir,’ he said.

‘Ah, there you are. I have been waiting for you,’ said his father.

‘There is something I want to talk to you about.’

‘What would that be, sir?’ asked George.

‘What I want to know George, is what is happening between you and Amelia?’

‘Well, I am a modest man, but you can see that she is fond of me.

You ordered me to marry her, and I am a good son.’

‘Do not forget where you come from,’ said Mr. Osborne. ‘We have a certain reputation to protect, a family like ours.’

‘Which is why, sir, one cannot live with these great people with no money, so I was wondering if you could…

‘That is not a problem. You can have all the money you need. But to return to that other business about Amelia. There’s one thing I order you to avoid. If you do not, you will see no more money from me.’

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‘Of course, Sir,’ replied George.

‘As you know, Amelia’s father has earned all his money from the stock exchange. The signs are that things are not going too well for him at the moment. My point is that you should think of marrying higher than a stockbroker’s* daughter.’

‘But you and Mr. Sedley made the match so long ago.’

‘I do not deny it. But now I do not like the look of Mr. Sedley’s affairs. Unless I see ten thousand from Amelia’s father you will not marry her, you hear?’

Amelia really enjoyed seeing George that day, even if was only for a brief moment. Little did she know that it was the beginning of the end for her and George. Poor Amelia! === Now let us return to Becky. A carriage is leaving Queen’s Crawley. Old Miss Crawley is inside. She arrives home with a young companion who does everything possible to make her feel comfortable. For Miss Crawley is ill.

The next day Rawdon Crawley arrives. He too is keen to make the old lady’s return home as comfortable as possible. The young companion comes down the stairs to greet Rawdon. Who could this young companion be? It was Becky of course. Sir Pitt didn’t want to let her go, but he couldn’t refuse Old Miss Crawley with all her money. And so it was agreed that Becky could assist Miss Crawley in London while she was ill.

In truth, Miss Crawley wasn’t that ill. In fact, she soon felt a lot better, but she had no intention of letting Becky go back to Queen’s Crawley just yet. She would sit up in bed, and Becky would entertain

stockbroker somebody who works in the stock exchange

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her by making perfect imitations of Sir Pitt and other members of the Crawley family. Rawdon Crawley came every day to entertain her as well. But while everybody was concerned about Old Miss Crawley, and messengers were being sent every hour about her state of health, there was another lady of the family who really was ill. Nobody took any notice of her at all, however. It was Sir Pitt’s second wife, Lady Crawley. She was left by herself. Nobody visited her.

And soon she died, alone and forgotten. Her heart had been dead long before her body. She had sold it to become Sir Pitt Crawley’s wife. Mothers and daughters are making the same bargain every day in Vanity Fair.

Three months later, Becky was looking out of the window when she saw a carriage.

‘Here is Sir Pitt, Ma’am.’

‘I cannot see him, I will not see him,’ said Miss Crawley. ‘Go downstairs and tell him I am too ill to receive anyone.’

‘She is too ill to see you,’ said Becky as she went down the stairs to greet her employer.

‘So much the better,’ Sir Pitt answered. ‘I came to see you Miss Becky, come with me into the drawing-room.’ They went into the room, and Sir Pitt fixed his eyes upon her. ‘I want you back at Queen’s Crawley,’ he said.

‘I hope to come soon. As soon as Miss Crawley is better, and to return to the dear children.’

‘You have been saying that for three months. Will you come back yes or no?’

‘It would not be right to be alone with you, sir.’ Becky seemed to be in a state of great agitation.

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‘I’ll say it again. I want you. I can’t do without you. The house is going all wrong. It’s not the same. You must come back.’

‘As what, sir?’

‘Come as Lady Crawley if you like. That’s right. Come back as my wife. Will that satisfy you?’

And at that point the old man fell down on his knees and looked up at her.

‘Oh Sir Pitt!’ she said. ‘I AM MARRIED ALREADY!’ Sir Pitt jumped up immediately from his position of submission.

‘Married! You’re joking. Who did you get to marry you without a penny to your name?’

Now it was Becky’s turn to get on her knees. ‘Married, yes married,’ she said in tears. ‘Oh Sir! Let me come back with you. I can still look after your children.’

But Sir Pitt didn’t hear Becky’s request. He was already out of the door, and on his way home. === ‘You refused him!’ cried Old Miss Crawley as soon as she was told the news.

‘Yes, refused,’ replied Becky. That a penniless governess could refuse a Baronet with four thousand a year was a mystery which Old Miss Crawley could not understand.

The news about Becky's marriage soon spread to Queen's Crawley.

Who was the husband? Had he left her? What was his station* in life?

These questions were on the lips of everybody. Who was the person who had mastered* Becky’s heart?

‘My poor, dear child,’ said Miss Crawley. ‘Tell me everything.’

station (in life) position in society to master to gain control of something or someone

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‘I wish I could Madam,’ Becky said. ‘Do not ask me now. You shall know soon dear friend. May I call you that?’

‘Of course you can,’ replied the old lady.

Becky was disappointed. To think that she had had such an opportunity, and that she hadn’t been in a position to accept it. Who would have thought that Lady Crawley would die so soon? She might have lasted another ten years. ‘Just think. I could have been a Lady,’ she thought to herself. ‘I would have had the most handsome carriage in London, and a box* at the opera.’ But Becky had too many resources to think about what might have been. She wisely turned her attention to the future. What were her choices?

In the first place she had recently got married. That was a fact. But how would Miss Crawley take the news about who her husband was?

She decided to write him a letter.

Half of our secret is known. Sir Pitt came to me this morning and asked me to marry him. So now Sir Pitt knows I am married. But, not knowing who I am married to, he is not displeased yet. Old Lady Crawley is actually upset that I refused him. She will be even more upset when she knows the whole story. But I hope that her anger will soon die down. I am sure it will.

She adores you (you naughty, good for nothing man). I believe that, after you, the next place in her heart is mine.

By now I trust that there is no reader of this story who hasn’t understood who the letter was for. The recipient of Becky’s letter was indeed none other than Captain Rawdon Crawley.

Rawdon adored Becky. ‘How she sings, how she paints,’ he would think. ‘I’ve never seen her equal.’ When Becky told him it was time to act, he prepared himself. Becky’s plan was simple. They had to leave the

box the best place in the theatre

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scene for a while. They needed to tell Old Miss Crawley the other half of the secret, and then to stay in Brighton for a few weeks, to give the old lady time to get over the shock that the news would surely bring.

And so Becky wrote a letter explaining everything, and left it on her bed. The servants would see it and pass it on to Miss Crawley. By that time Becky and Rawdon would be far away.

And so it was that the newly married couple arrived at their accommodation in Brighton. ‘Suppose the old lady does not calm down,’ Rawdon remarked.

‘Do not worry! If she does not, I will make your fortune,’ Becky replied reassuringly.

While Becky was contemplating her future fortune in Brighton, and Amelia was at risk of losing hers in London, on the world stage events were taking place that would change everybody’s lives.

Sometimes you need something bigger than a bottle of champagne to change destiny. For one hundred days, Europe had been at peace.

Napoleon and France had been defeated. But one day, Napoleon escaped from his prison on the island of Elba, and it seemed likely that war would begin again.

The stock market was uncertain, and this meant the end for Amelia’s father. Mr. Sedley’s house, his other possessions, and his money were gone.

And so now we find ourselves in a crowded auction room*. The objects on sale are those of Amelia’s father. He was bankrupt. He had lost everything, and he blamed it on the uncertainty of the market brought about by “that monster”, Napoleon. Vanity Fair does not care, however, if you are a victim of misfortune. Vanity Fair

auction room a place where people go to make an offer to buy something

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only cares about winners and not losers. And Mr. Sedley was now a loser. Friends ignored him, everybody blamed him, and most of all, Mr. Osborne held him in contempt. At this auction, Mr. Sedley’s possessions, and indeed his life, were up for sale.

If we look around, there are some people who we know at this auction. They are bidding* for a piano. Amelia used to play it in the sitting-room of Russell Square. There are two people who are interested in buying it. Two voices, that are very familiar to us, were doing battle for the piano. ’Ten pounds, any advance on ten pounds?’

‘Eleven,’ said the first voice.

‘Twelve,’ said the second.

‘Any advance on Twelve?…. Going…Going…Gone! Sold to the gentleman on my right.’

The gentleman, and the winner of the bid, was Dobbin. The loser was Becky. Becky wasn’t too upset however, and she remarked to her husband: ‘He was a very kind old man, Mr Sedley,’ as if Amelia’s father were dead. ‘I’m sorry it has gone wrong for him,’ she added.

‘Well, what is his name?…Osborne … George Osborne. He’ll call off the marriage now no doubt, since the family is bankrupt. She will be very upset, Amelia I mean. What do you think Becky?’

‘She will recover, I am sure,’ said Becky with a smile. And then the couple went on their way and talked about something else.

Dobbin sent the piano to Amelia’s new house. She was thrilled.

And you can be sure that she didn’t think the sender of the piano was Dobbin.

to bid to offer a price for something, like on E-bay

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Read the summary of some of the events in Chapter 3 and fill in the gaps with a suitable word.

Old Miss Crawley really enjoyed Becky’s company. She admired her manners and her intelligence so (1) …..….... that when she returned home because she was ill, she brought Becky with her to look (2) …..….... her. Not long after this, Rawdon also came to visit Old Miss Crawley. The old lady soon felt better, (3) …..….... there was another lady in the family who was very ill. It was Lady Crawley. She died, alone and forgotten. Three months (4) …..…...., Sir Pitt (5) …..….... a surprise visit. At first it seemed that he (6) …..….... come to ask Becky to come back to Queens Crawley, but (7) …..….... he asked Becky to marry him. Becky had (8) …..….... choice but to refuse because she was already married to his son, Rawdon Crawley. Becky knew that Old Miss Crawley (9) …..….... be upset when she found out, so she left a note, explaining everything, and then went to Brighton with her new husband.

She wanted to wait for her to calm (10) …..….... and accept the situation.

Writing 2 Becky was upset that she had lost the opportunity to marry Sir Pitt. Write down a list of the advantages and disadvantages this marriage would have had, if it had been possible.

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+

-

…..…..................…..….................. …..…..................…..….................. …..…..................…..….................. …..…..................…..….................. …..…..................…..….................. …..…..................…..….................. …..…..................…..…..................

…..…..................…..…................... …..…..................…..…................... …..…..................…..…................... …..…..................…..…................... …..…..................…..…................... …..…..................…..…................... …..…..................…..…...................

Speaking 3 When Lady Crawley dies, alone and forgotten, the author writes the following about her marriage: ‘Mothers and daughters are making the same bargain every day in Vanity Fair.’ What do you think the author means by this?

Note Taking 4 Make a list of the signs in Chapter 3 that George is not happy with Amelia.

Vocabulary 5 Match the phrasal verbs in the chapter with their meanings.

1 2 3 4 5 6

■ carry on ■ turn (attention) to ■ be tied to ■ get over ■ pass something on ■ call off

a to give to someone else b to decide that something will not happen c to continue d to be connected to e to think about something else f to recover from something

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6 Match the following verbs to nouns to make common collocations. Remember some of the expressions in column B can be matched with more than one of the verbs in column A. A B C D E

make ……….......................……… have ……….......................……… take ……….......................……… go ……….......................……… do ……….......................………

1 well 2 an idea 3 a match 4 a good impression 5 your fortune 6 wrong 7 battle 8 without someone 9 much effort 10 notice 11 a bargain 12 the news 13 on your way

Vocabulary 7a Look at the words below. They can have different meanings.

What meanings do each of these words have, in the context of the story?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

jewel smart point match bargain station master box

7b Can you think of any meanings that these words have in other contexts?

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PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Stop & Check 8 Before you read the next chapter look at the descriptions below from the first three chapters. Who is being described?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

■ A man of his word. …............

■ A dangerous bird. …............

■ The mirror was his best friend. …............

■ A tall clumsy gentleman with large hands and feet. …............

■ Short, vulgar and dirty. …............

■ The mysterious other son. …............

■ A hypocrite, with all his prayers. …............

Prediction 9 What events do you think are going to happen in Chapter 4?

1 ■ Old Miss Crawley will forgive Becky and Rawdon.

2 ■ Amelia will marry Dobbin.

3 ■ Amelia will marry George.

4 ■ Amelia’s father will become rich again.

5 ■ George will marry a rich woman.

6 ■ Joseph will return.

Writing 10 Look at the picture on page 55. Write down what you think the picture means. Does the picture help you to answer some of the questions in exercise 9? ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................

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Chapter Four

Private and Public Battles

Mr. Sedley’s fortune had gone, and this broke Amelia’s heart. But she already knew it was going to break. How many suspicions had she had of George’s selfishness and indifference? With her father’s bankruptcy came the inevitable; the match between Amelia and George was broken off.

George’s father also broke off relations with Mr. Sedley. Everything was broken, but Amelia took the news calmly. She changed from a large house to a small one without any noticeable difference in her manner.

But how could anyone know what she felt inside? She remained in her room most of the time. Her father ordered her to send back all the gifts that George had given her. She did her best, but could not part with the letters. How excited she had been to receive them. If they were cold, short or selfish, how many excuses had she made up for the writer? She read the letters often. Through them she lived in her past life.

All the gossip was against her. ‘Of course Captain Osborne could not marry a bankrupt’s daughter. What was she thinking? Her conduct was careless.’

Only Captain Dobbin defended poor Amelia. ‘They have been engaged since they were children. It was as good as a marriage.

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Nobody should breathe a word against the sweetest and purest of all women,’ is what he would say to anyone who would listen.

While our characters were engaged in their own private battles, there was a public battle that was just about to begin. In the history books you’ll no doubt read about Napoleon’s escape from Elba and his attempts to conquer Europe. But you won’t hear about hundreds of people like Amelia, whose life was about to be changed by events that were beyond their control.

Napoleon was ready to gather his troops for an attack on Britain.

The war was going to begin again, and Captains Dobbin and Osborne were ordered to join their regiment.

Before leaving, George happened to pass the house on Russell Square. It made him feel sad to think of what had passed. But he was also excited about going on a campaign.

Three days later Dobbin found Osborne in his room. George’s head was in his hands. ‘Look Dobbin! She sent me back the things I gave her. It is all over. She has written me a letter as well. Read it.’

‘Farewell. I pray to God to give me the strength to bear this, and to bless you always. I shall often play the piano – your piano. It was just like you to send it.’

‘Where are they living now?’ asked George. Dobbin knew. He had been the one that had really sent the piano after all. He had been to see Amelia and her family. Amelia had looked unreal. Her face was pale. He remembered her pale face. ‘How did she look when you saw her? What did she say?’ George continued.

‘George, she is dying,’ said Dobbin. And then he could speak no more.

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Some days later Amelia received a letter. A servant brought it to her. ‘I must see you,’ the letter said. ‘Dearest Amelia, dearest love – dearest wife, come to me.’ She read it, and rushed outside the house.

George was there, waiting outside, waiting for her to finish reading the letter. Amelia ran into his arms, her face was a picture of joy.

That night Amelia slept well. She was back with her beloved George. George also slept well, thinking himself to be a wonderful person for making such a sacrifice. But Dobbin’s sleep wasn’t so peaceful. Bringing back Amelia and George had been a painful task for him, but he just wanted to see Amelia happy.

With this in mind, Dobbin met Amelia’s father at the Tapioca Coffee House. Mr. Sedley looked a different man. He looked thin and helpless. He got up at the sight of Dobbin, held his hand and called him Sir. Dobbin felt ashamed.

‘I have a message for you from George,’ said Dobbin.

Suddenly Mr. Sedley became the proud man of his past once again.

‘I will not have that name mentioned in my house. I would rather see my daughter dead than married to him.’

‘You do not have the power or the right to stop them. They will marry without your consent if they have to,’ said Dobbin defiantly.

And then a thought passed through Mr. Sedley’s mind. It wasn’t a noble thought, but it made him smile. He started to imagine George’s father, and his reaction to this news. ‘Maybe this match wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all,’ was his thought.

George’s father had been busy planning his son’s future. There was a certain Miss Swartz who was a perfect match. She was rich, she had land, and she had connections. He began to imagine his son as a

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leader of state, and a time when the name of Osborne would be on the lips of everyone in the nation.

He wasted no time. Knowing nothing of George’s recent return to Amelia, he ordered George to marry Miss Swartz at once, before somebody else took her.

‘You should have thought of this sooner. It is not the right time. I am just about to go to war. Wait until my return,’ George responded.

‘You will come here tomorrow, and every time that Miss Swartz comes,’ insisted Mr. Osborne.

‘I love Amelia, sir. We have been engaged all our lives.’

‘How dare you mention that woman’s name! You have insulted your father. How ungrateful, when I think of all of the money I have given you.’

‘I never insulted you. I know you give me plenty of money. You tell me often enough, sir. There is no fear of forgetting it.’

‘Well you should remember other things as well. I am the master of this house. And I tell you not to mention that family’s name here.’

‘Who told me to love Amelia, sir? It was you. I obeyed you. And now you tell me not to love her. Well I cannot do that.’

‘If you choose to throw away eight thousand a year you may do it.

But you will have to leave this house. Will you do as I tell you or not?’

‘I am not going to marry Miss Swartz. No!’ The father ordered a coach for Captain Osborne. ‘I have done it Dobbin,’ said George when he met his friend at the coffee house. ‘I am going to marry Amelia tomorrow,’ he added, ‘I love her more every day.’

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George’s father waited for George to surrender. But he didn’t.

And soon he heard that he had left town with Dobbin. Some days later George and Dobbin made their way to a chapel in Brompton.

George and Amelia were married that day. Dobbin saw them off as the carriage drove away. Never since he was a boy had he felt so miserable and so lonely.

And so both George and Rawdon were cut off, without a penny.

They were at the mercy of their benefactors. Would George’s father change his mind? And would Old Miss Crawley find a place in her heart for Becky and Rawdon again? After the ceremony, Amelia and George went to Brighton. If you remember Becky and Rawdon were also staying in this town at that time.

It didn’t take long for the two couples to find each other. Becky flew into the arms of her dearest friend. The two young couples had plenty of tales to tell. Becky and Rawdon were waiting for Miss Crawley to change her mind. Becky was happy to wait until the old lady was reconciled, and then she could claim her place in society.

George and Amelia were waiting as well. Dobbin was going to speak to George’s father to try to establish a reconciliation.

Dobbin wasn’t looking forward to this meeting. He felt guilty.

After all, he had organised the union between George and Amelia, and this was going to cause a great deal of grief for George’s father.

Mr. Osborne however, was in high spirits when he saw Dobbin.

He was convinced that Dobbin had come to announce his son’s surrender.

‘Good morning, sir,’ said Dobbin. ‘I have some grave news. Our regiment will soon be ordered abroad, and we will be on our way

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to Belgium before the week is over. Prepare yourself for we may be engaged in a battle that could be fatal to many of us.’

‘Why are you telling me this?’

‘I only mean that before we go, considering the great risk, if there are any differences between you and George, it would be a good idea to shake hands, wouldn’t it? If anything happened you would never forgive yourself.’

‘You are a good fellow Dobbin, but you know I only want what is best for my son. You are right. We must forgive and forget. There is no point in him marrying Miss Swartz now. He can do it when he comes back from the campaign. And he will come back a colonel – of that I am sure.’

‘You are forgetting his promise to Amelia.’

‘What! You are suggesting that my son should marry a penniless woman, why that woman is nothing but a beggar.’

‘Mr. Osborne, do not insult the best creature in the world. You have to be kind to her sir – for she is your son’s wife.’

And at this Dobbin went away, and Osborne sank back into his chair. That evening, Mr. Osborne sat down to dinner with his two daughters. There were four places for dinner however, and not three.

A plate had been there, at every meal time, waiting for George’s inevitable surrender, and return home.

‘Take that plate away!’ said Mr. Osborne.

George had lost his place at the table, and with it, his father’s money.

‘It is all your fault Dobbin,’ said George when he heard the news.

‘Now I am married and ruined. I have only got 2,000 pounds left.

That will not last two years. I must have my comforts.’

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‘Wait until the tempest is over. I am sure your father will warm to you with time,’ replied Dobbin.

George thought of his 2,000 pounds. He had already lost 140 of it at cards to Rawdon. How was he going to survive? Amelia was well aware of George’s habits. ‘We have only been married a week,’ she thought. ‘And he is already eager for the company of others. How shall I be a companion for him? He is so clever and brilliant and I am so foolish. How noble of him it was to marry me.’

With the imminent war in mind, the group decided to move back to London. There was still no hope for Becky and Rawdon, but Becky was not willing to wait forever without doing something.

‘Rawdon, you must write a pretty little letter to Miss Crawley, telling her that you’re a good boy and that sort of thing,’ she said.

‘Becky, you know I am no good at writing,’ ‘I will tell you what to write,’ said Becky. ‘Before leaving England for a campaign which may be fatal.’

‘Fatal?’ cried Rawdon.

‘Yes … may be fatal. I would like to say farewell to my dearest and earliest friend. If you could just give me the chance to hold your hand, the hand from which I have received nothing but kindness all my life.

‘Kindness all my life,’ muttered Rawdon, who was very impressed by ‘his’ words.

Becky looked at the letter briefly to correct the bad spelling. ‘Finish with this,’ and then Becky dictated the last words of the letter. I cannot bear the idea of leaving the country without a kind word of farewell from you.

Old Miss Crawley was not a newcomer to Vanity Fair though.

When she read the letter she knew immediately who had really

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written it. ‘Rawdon never wrote a word of this letter,’ she thought.

‘He has never written to me without asking for money in his life, and all his letters are full of bad spelling. They are all alike. They all want me dead so they can get their hands on my money.’ After reading the letter, Miss Crawley sent Rawdon the small sum of twenty pounds.

The door was still closed to Becky and Rawdon.

George found a suite of rooms at Cavendish Square. He bullied the waiters, and criticised the wine and food with a superior air. ‘I travel like a gentleman,’ he said. ‘And my wife should feel like a lady.’

Dobbin looked on in amazement at George’s extravagance.

Only nine days had passed since Amelia had left her home to marry. But it seemed like such a long time ago. What a difference between then and now. ‘What will become of me, now that I am Mrs. Osborne?’ she thought. === But Amelia had little time to think. Soon the stage was set for war.

George and Dobbin’s regiment sailed to Belgium, and then marched to Brussels, while Amelia’s brother Joseph accompanied the ladies on a boat. Joseph wanted to witness history, even if he didn’t want to participate in it. Feeling brave after some wine he reassured the ladies during the journey. ‘Napoleon can attack us if he wants, but we are strong. We have nothing to fear. We are ready for anything.’

However, when everybody arrived, life went on as if there wasn’t a war, as if no enemy were approaching. They found themselves in one of the liveliest capitals in Europe. There was dancing and gambling, music, parties, and excursions. The life of Vanity Fair continued.

Rawdon’s regiment arrived soon after that of George and Dobbin.

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At the sight of Rawdon, and Becky, Amelia felt sad. She no longer felt at ease with Becky. Becky was on a horse, which she rode to perfection. She was by the side of General Tufto, who seemed very impressed by his young companion.

‘What a comfort it will be to have Becky by your side,’ commented George to his wife. Amelia smiled, but she didn’t feel comforted in the least.

The battle was getting nearer, but there was still time for the Opera. One evening, George and Rawdon met each other there just before the performance began.

‘Has your father changed his mind yet?’ asked Rawdon.

‘Not yet. What about your Aunt…Miss Crawley?’

‘She sent me 20 pounds, the mean old thing,’ replied Rawdon.

‘That is too bad. I will just go and pay my respects to your wife,’ said George.

Becky jumped up and clapped her hands together at the sight of George. She was in a box with General Tufto. ‘My dear Captain George,’ she said. ‘How good of you to come. Come with me to Amelia’s box. Give me your arm, Captain George.’

The two ladies greeted each other again. Amelia had been watching George and Becky from her box. And she didn’t like what she saw. She was feeling overpowered by Becky, who was charming everyone around her again, including her husband.

Amelia was starting to feel jealous of Becky’s constant flirting, but she tried not to show it. She had only been married to George for six weeks. Amelia looked at the future. She tried to be positive, but it wasn’t easy when Becky was around.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Look at the statements and decide which are true (T), and which are false (F).

T F 1

Most people thought it was wrong of George to finish his relationship with Amelia.

Amelia thought that George had given her the piano.

Amelia’s father wasn’t so unhappy about the idea of George marrying his daughter.

Mr. Osborne was willing to forgive George for marrying Amelia.

George was very careful with the money that he had.

Old Miss Crawley thought that Becky and not Rawdon had written her a letter.

When the characters arrived in Brussels they found many ways to entertain themselves.

Becky and George still disliked each other.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Reading & Writing 2a Read the statements and identify the speaker.

1 2

‘ I travel like a gentleman.’ …..…................

‘She sent me 20 pounds, the mean old thing.’ …..…................

3

‘Take that plate away!’ …..…................

4 ‘Do not insult the best creature in the world.’ …..…................

5

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‘They all want me dead, so they can get their hands on my money.’ …..…................

2b What do these comments reveal about each of the characters.

1 2

Mr. Osborne …..…........................................................................................

Old Miss Crawley …..…..............................................................................

3

George …..…..................................................................................................

4 Dobbin …..…..................................................................................................

5

Rawdon …..…................................................................................................

Note Taking 3 List three ways in which Dobbin helps Amelia and George in this chapter.

1 …..….....................................................................................................................

2 …..….....................................................................................................................

3 …..….....................................................................................................................

Speaking 4 Mr. Osborne feels that he is a good father to George. In your opinion what defects does he have as a father?

Writing 5 Write a letter to Mr. Osborne. Try to convince him to see his son’s point of view. …………………………………………………………………...................…………………………....... ………………………………………………………………...................………………………….......… ………………………………………………………………...................………………………….......… ………………………………………………………………...................……………………….…......... …………………………………………………………………...................………………...................

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Vocabulary 6 Read the statements and find a word that fits both sentences.

1

When George left Amelia he …..............…. her heart.

Mr. Osborne …..............…. off relations with Mr. Sedley when the latter lost all his money.

2 Dobbin …..............…. George honour his commitment to Amelia.

After getting married, George and Amelia …..............…. their way to Brighton.

3 Mr. Osborne believed that he was the …..............…. of his house.

Rawdon found it difficult to …..............…. spelling when he wrote letters.

4 At the end of Chapter 4, George and Dobbin are just …..............…. to go to war.

Becky believed that it was …..............…. time that Old Miss Crawley forgave her.

Grammar 7 Read these sentences from Chapter four and cross out the incorrect words(s).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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Before leaving/to leave, George happened to pass Amelia’s house on Russell Square.

I pray to God giving/to give me the strength to bear this.

George was there, waiting outside, waiting for her to finish reading/to read the letter.

George’s father had been busy planning/to plan his son’s future.

George’s father waited for George surrendering/to surrender.

Becky was happy waiting/to wait until the old lady was reconciled, and she could claim her place in society.

Mr. Osborne was convinced that Dobbin had come announcing/to announce his son’s surrender.

Speaking 8 In the story there are now two new couples. Becky and Rawdon, and Amelia and George. Compare and contrast the two relationships. How are they different, and what do they have in common?

9 When Becky arrives in Brussels, George says to Amelia, ‘What a comfort it will be to have Becky by your side.’ Why do you think that Amelia is not comforted by this comment?

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Speaking 10 Chapter 5 is called The Enemy Approaching. George, Rawdon and Dobbin are going to fight. What do you think will happen to them? Will they survive? Consider the following questions.

1 What will happen to Amelia if George doesn’t survive?

2 What will happen to Becky if Rawdon doesn’t survive?

3 Who will be most upset if Dobbin doesn’t survive?

11

Look at the picture on page 69. Why do you think Amelia looks so upset? What do you think will happen in the relationship between Becky and George? Read on to see if you are right.

Writing 12 Look again at the picture on page 69 and write a caption. ……………………………………………………………......................………………………….......... ………………………………………………………………...................…………………………..........

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Chapter Five

The Enemy Approaching

4 Amelia’s concerns were justified. Soon George was carrying on a

secret flirtation with Becky. He rode with Becky when he was free.

He pretended to have regimental duties so that he could see her, and he kept on losing money at cards to her husband, and flattering himself that his wife was desperately in love with him.

Dobbin tried to warn George that Rawdon was making a victim of him. And as soon as he had used him, he would be rejected.

George would not listen. He was enjoying the pleasures of Vanity Fair.

‘When do you intend to give up gambling?’ asked Dobbin.

‘When do you intend to give up criticising me? Rawdon does not cheat. With fair play it comes to pretty much the same thing in the end.’

‘Well, I don’t think that Rawdon could pay if he lost,’ remarked Dobbin.

Meanwhile the army kept on dancing and partying, right up to the very last hour before the battle. There was a very important dance.

All of Brussels talked about it. There were many struggles, intrigues and prayers just to get tickets. George managed to get a ticket for himself and Amelia. Dobbin was also going, as were Becky and

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Rawdon. George bought new clothes for Amelia and then they drove to the dance, where his wife hardly knew a single soul.

She was accompanied to a bench and there she was left to herself.

Left to watch Becky. Becky’s face was radiant, her dress, perfection.

Men crowded around her, waiting to have the honour of dancing with her.

Becky told each and every one of them that she wasn’t going to dance very much. And she made her way to Amelia. ‘It is a delightful dance,’ said Becky. ‘There is everybody that everybody knows, and only a very few nobodies in the whole room.’ Amelia immediately felt like one of the nobodies.

George, who had not paid any attention to Amelia all night, soon found his way back to her when he saw Becky by her side. ‘Where have you been?’ asked Becky. ‘Here is Amelia crying her eyes out for you.

Have you come to ask me to dance?’ And then she left her bag and some flowers by Amelia’s side, and went off to dance with George.

Poor Amelia, who had never hated anyone in her life, was powerless against Becky. George danced with Becky two or three times, and she watched, helplessly in the corner, on her own, until Captain Dobbin sat beside her, bringing her some refreshments.

After all that dancing, George came back to collect Becky’s bag and flowers. She was leaving. Her work had been done. When George handed her the flowers, he secretly gave her a little note. What was written in this note? Only Becky saw it. Its contents will remain a secret to us for a little while longer. Amelia had seen enough. She had watched George dancing with Becky, she had watched Becky flirting with her husband, and now she just wanted to go home.

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‘Dobbin. You have always been very kind to me. I am not so well.

Please take me home,’ she asked. George stayed, and he didn’t even notice that his wife had gone home. He went off to gamble, and even won a little bit of money. When Dobbin returned, he found him laughing loudly with a group of people.

‘Hello Dob. Come and drink Old Dob,’ said George. Dobbin went up and whispered something to his friend. ‘The enemy is approaching.

Come away. We are marching in three hours.’

Away went George in a state of excitement. What were love and intrigue now? He had to say farewell to Amelia, but his mind was on the battle ahead. The great game of war was about to be played. And he was one of the players. He thought about his brief married life. How careless he had been. He had in a few weeks spent so much of his money. And if anything should happen to him – what would be left to Amelia? How unworthy he was. Why had he married her? He was not fit for marriage. Why had he disobeyed his father?

Amelia was sleeping. Tenderness and selfish regret filled his heart as he looked at her. He sat down and wrote his father a letter of farewell, and then he kissed the letter, remembering how he had deserted his generous father.

Should he wake Amelia or leave a note? ‘How pure she was, and how selfish and brutal I was,’ he thought as he looked down at her face. George went to kiss her, but Amelia woke and started to cry. She could hear the drums of the army, preparing for the march.

Joseph didn’t wake up so easily however, ‘Joseph – Joseph!’ shouted George, until he was awake. ‘If everything goes wrong, will

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you make sure that Amelia gets safely back to England? Promise me that you will never leave her.’

‘You need not tell me how to behave towards my sister,’ replied Joseph.

Rawdon, who had seldom thought about anything else but himself until the last few months of his life, tried to think of what would happen to Becky if he should die. He made a note of his property, which could be sold if necessary. With this in mind he decided to leave his new uniform behind, because it could be sold at a good price. His old uniform would be good enough.

Becky however decided not to give way to sentimentality. She waved goodbye to Rawdon from the window. And then she looked at the note that George had given her at the ball and smiled. She put the note in a safe place and went back to bed, sleeping very comfortably.

The morning after, Becky reviewed her situation. Should the worst happen, she had a reasonable amount of money. In addition, there was the money that her husband would leave her and presents from General Tufto. She made a quick calculation and concluded that she had at least six or seven hundred pounds with which she could take on the world again. Having finished her sums, Becky then went to visit Amelia.

On her way to meet Amelia, Becky bumped into Joseph. There he was in his military uniform. All of the superior officers being on duty elsewhere, Joseph felt as if he was in command now. He was very pleased with himself and felt extremely important and brave. ‘You men,’ said Becky, ‘I imagine that you want to go and join the army as

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well. Who will protect me then? I come here for shelter and find even you want to rush off and leave me.’

‘My dear madam. Do not be alarmed. I would like to join the battle. What Briton would not? But my duty keeps me here. I cannot leave poor Amelia.’

‘I know your heart is true to your sister. But I remember two years ago when it was false to me,’ said Becky, fixing her eyes on to him for an instant. And all it took was that instant for Joseph’s heart to be on fire again. Becky noticed this. ‘My retreat is secure, and I have a right hand seat in his carriage,’ she thought.

‘Au revoir,’ she said, as she made her way into Amelia’s room.

Becky’s appearance struck Amelia with terror. She shrank back. And then something inside her helped her to build up some courage that enabled her to return Becky’s stare.

‘Dearest Amelia, you look unwell.’

‘Why are you here Becky?’ she replied defiantly. Becky began to suspect that Amelia had seen George’s note.

‘Why are you so agitated Amelia? I came to see how you are.’

‘Tell me Becky, have I always treated you with kindness?’

‘Yes’ replied Becky, hanging down her head.

‘When you were poor, I befriended you. Was I not a sister to you?

Why do you want to separate George from me, my own husband?

His love means everything to me. And you knew it, and wanted to rob me of it. False friend and false wife.’

‘Amelia, I protest. I have done my husband no wrong.’

‘Have you done me no wrong, Becky? You did not succeed but you tried. Ask your heart if you did not.’

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‘Good, she knows nothing about the note,’ thought Becky.

‘He came back to me. I knew he would. I prayed for it,’ said Amelia.

Not much later Joseph also tried to pray. But he was not praying for George, or Amelia, or anyone else. He was praying for his own safety, when he heard the dull, distant sound of cannon fire.

What seemed to be the whole population of the city rushed into the streets. The sound of the cannon seemed to be getting nearer, and people started leaving the capital.

Joseph was getting more and more alarmed as he listened to the rumours on the street. ‘Napoleon has cut the army in two.’ ‘He’s marching on Brussels.’ ‘He will overpower the English.’ Joseph’s face grew paler and paler. The rumours started to get more and more alarming. It was just too much for poor Joseph, and he went back into the house and burst into Amelia’s room.

‘I-I’ve ordered the carriage. Get up! I’ve ordered the horses – it’s all over, and – I’m off. Everybody is going – there’s a place for you. We’ll start in half an hour.’

‘I am not going anywhere without George,’ replied Amelia.

Joseph yelled with fear and rage. And these emotions intensified when his servant came into the room to tell him that all the horses were gone. For the moment Joseph could not go anywhere.

Joseph’s fears grew more and more intense during the day as the rumours continued. ‘The English are destroyed.’ ‘The Duke of Wellington has been killed.’ ‘The British army are retreating.’ He was wild with terror.

He looked at himself in the mirror. I look too much like a military man,’ he thought. ‘I must shave off my moustache.’ After removing

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his military-like moustache he took off his uniform and replaced it with a less offensive hat and coat. And then he ran down the stairs and onto the streets.

The arrival of the French was expected at any moment, and the panic continued. ‘No horses!’ thought Joseph. He wandered around the streets until he came across a certain Lady Bareacres. She was sitting in her carriage, ready to depart. But something was missing.

Something was odd about the carriage. There were no horses.

Becky looked at this almost comical scene from her window. And then she saw Joseph. ‘Who shall I sell my horses to?’ she thought.

‘Not Lady Bareacres. She can carry on looking for horses. She can stay in her horseless carriage. I will get a much better deal with Joseph.’ Becky called for Joseph, and made the deal in half an hour.

Joseph could have kissed her. But it was a very expensive half an hour for him.

Rumours continued to fly around all night. Various reports said that the Prussians had been heavily defeated. The same was being said about the English. But there was a third rumour – that the English had held their ground. This third rumour gained strength gradually through the night. No Frenchman made his appearance in Brussels. Then the word spread – the French army had been repelled.

The news reached Joseph as he was examining his new horses. He went up immediately to communicate the news to the ladies. He didn’t think it was necessary however, to tell them how he had been just about to abandon them.

News soon arrived about George and Dobbin. They were heroes.

They were alive! This feeling of joy and relief didn’t last long, however.

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The French advance had been repelled certainly. But they were not defeated. They were preparing another attack. Joseph trembled at the thought, and he had the horses ready at all times if he had to escape.

The next morning, the Sunday church service was interrupted by the sound of the cannon of Waterloo. When Joseph heard this dreadful sound, he made up his mind to leave at once. ‘I cannot stand it anymore Amelia,’ he said. ‘You must come with me.’ Again Amelia rejected his appeal.

‘Goodbye then,’ said Joseph in a rage. And off he went.

The history books can tell us what happened next. The cannon stopped when it was dark. During the day all seemed to be lost. But the English resisted, and then counter-attacked with the Prussians, gaining an unexpected victory. The French were defeated.

No more firing was heard at Brussels. Darkness came down on the fields. And Amelia was praying for George, who was lying on his face, dead, with a bullet through his heart.

The Osborne family were shocked by the news of George’s death.

There had been a chance of reconciliation. Amelia might have died, or George could have come back and asked for forgiveness. But there was no hope now. The stern*, old man talked to no one. He never mentioned his son’s name to his daughters, but ordered them and the servants to wear black. Parties and entertainments were put off, and he spent most of his time in his study.

He looked at the letter that George had written to him just before he died. The letter was in George’s well-known, bold handwriting.

The hand that signed it would never hold a pen, or a sword any more.

Osborne trembled. The letter didn’t say very much. George’s English

stern a serious and angry attitude or expression

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reserve had prevented him from expressing any tender feeling towards his father. His father of course could not see the kiss that George had given the letter when he sealed it. So much was left unsaid. Mr. Osborne was still in that confused state of love, loss and bitterness that he had been in when George had disobeyed him.

Two weeks later, Mr. Osborne could be seen sitting in his church.

He was not in his usual position, and was gazing at a monument dedicated to a soldier. Under the memorial were the words, ‘Sacred to the memory of George Osborne Junior, who fell on the 18th of June 1815, aged 28, while fighting for King and country, in the glorious victory of Waterloo.’

Many acquaintances looked at the solemn face of Mr. Osborne as he left the church. And the same question was on everybody’s lips. Would he forgive Amelia? Would he accept her into the family?

Amelia was still in Brussels when Mr. Osborne informed his family that he was going to take a trip abroad. The question seemed to be resolved. He was going to meet Amelia.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

The stage is set for war. Do you know what happened? Fill in the missing gaps with a suitable word to complete the description of the historical context of the battle you have just red about.

France and its leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, had been (1) …..….... war with a number of European countries for most of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. France had gained many victories but its progress had (2) …..….... slowed down by its disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. The defeat of France in this campaign allowed its enemies to invade France, and two years later Napoleon abdicated, and (3) …..….... exiled on the Island of Elba. In March 1815, however, Napoleon escaped (4) …..….... the island and marched to Paris, gathering support (5) …..….... the way. He wanted to regain control of his empire. A new coalition was formed, involving countries (6) …..….... Britain, Prussia and Austria. These countries saw Napoleon (7) …..….... a threat to world peace. Napoleon knew that he had to strike England first, and (8) …..….... he moved towards Antwerp, (9) …..….... important British naval base. The British leader, the Duke of Wellington, had to stop him before he arrived (10) …..….... . This is why Waterloo, just outside Brussels, was chosen as the site of the battle.

2 Look at the statements and decide which are true (T) and which are false (F).

T F 1 2 3 4 5 6

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Becky thought that she would be alright if Rawdon died in the war.

Amelia saw George giving Becky a note.

George wrote a letter to apologise to his father.

Rawdon wore his new uniform for the battle against the French.

Lady Bareacres was just about to leave Brussels when Joseph saw her.

George thought that he had been a bad husband.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Writing 3 With Becky things are often not what they seem. Look at the statements and then correct them, writing what she really believes.

1

2 3 4

5

Becky said that she was worried when Rawdon left for the battle. …………………………………………………………………...................…………………………...

Becky said that Joseph was very brave. …………………………………………………………………...................…………………………...

Becky said that she was worried about Amelia’s health. …………………………………………………………………...................…………………………...

Becky said that she wanted to help Joseph by selling him her horses. …………………………………………………………………...................…………………………...

Becky danced with George because they were friends. …………………………………………………………………...................…………………………...

Discussion Points 4 Now that George is dead, what will happen to Amelia? Look at your answers to activity 10 on page 65. Do you want to change your answers?

5 George died at Waterloo. What do you think of his character?

Read again what is written about him on his Memorial.

What negative things would you like to add about George’s character?

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF GEORGE OSBORNE JUNIOR, WHO FELL ON THE 18TH OF JUNE 1815, AGED 28, WHILE FIGHTING FOR KING AND COUNTRY, IN THE GLORIOUS VICTORY OF WATERLOO.

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6 At the dance, George gave Becky a note. What do you think was written on the note? You will find out in Chapter 9. Think of the following possibilities: 1 2 3 4 5

■ It tells Becky that she has an admirer.

■ It tells Becky that George loves her.

■ It asks Becky to run away with George.

■ It tells Becky something bad about Rawdon.

■ It asks Becky to help Amelia if George dies in battle.

Vocabulary 7 Look at the phrasal verbs used in Chapter 5, and match them with the right definition.

1 2 3 4 5 6

■ give up ■ put off ■ burst in ■ take on ■ give way ■ go off

a to leave b to come in suddenly c to postpone d to begin an activity e to surrender f to stop doing something

8 Now complete these sentences with the correct form of the phrasal verbs above.

1 Dobbin wanted George ….............….... gambling.

2 Amelia sat helplessly in the corner while Becky ….............….... to dance with George.

3 Becky ….............….... (not) to sentimentality when Rawdon left for the battlefield.

4 Becky calculated how much money she needed ….............….... the world if her husband died.

5 Joseph was so worried about the fighting that he ….............….... to Becky’s room to tell her to get ready to leave.

6 After George’s death, his father ….............….... all the parties and events and spent his time alone.

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9 Match the two halves of these sentences to make some rumours about the war.

1 2 3

■ Napoleon has cut ■ The English ■ The Duke of

4 5 6

■ The British Army ■ Napoleon will overpower ■ Napoleon is marching

Wellington has been

a the army in two. b are destroyed. c killed. d on Brussels. e are retreating. f the English.

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Speaking 10 Mr. Osborne is going to Brussels in the next chapter.

1 2 3 4

What do you think he will do there?

Where will he go?

Who will he meet?

How do you think he will react?

Writing 11

Look at the picture on page 81. Amelia is in the carriage.

Describe her manner and appearance. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................

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Chapter Six

Time Marches On

Brussels had become like a vast military hospital. Many soldiers remained there, recovering from their wounds*. Amelia was suffering from a different kind of wound though. A wound that medicine had no effect on.

In Brussels, Mr. Osborne made the same journey that many other fathers made at that time. He went to the battlefield – to Waterloo.

He saw where George’s regiment went into action, where the French soldiers made their attack. And then he saw the place where George, rushing down the hill with his sword, was shot and fell dead.

Coming back from the drive to Waterloo, Mr. Osborne’s carriage was nearing the gates of the city. On their way they passed another carriage, occupied by two ladies. There was a gentleman riding beside them on his horse. Osborne saw them. One of the women in the carriage was Amelia! But it was not the Amelia he knew. Her face was white and thin. Her pretty brown hair was hidden under a widow’s* cap. Her eyes were fixed and looking nowhere. They stared blank into the face of Osborne as the carriages passed. She did not know him. And Osborne didn’t recognise her until he saw that the gentleman riding alongside the carriage on his horse was Major Dobbin.

wound you get this when you are badly hurt widow a woman whose husband has died

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By this time one of the questions he had come to resolve in Brussels had an answer. He hated Amelia. He detested her, but he didn’t know how much until that moment.

Dobbin’s thoughts had been elsewhere when the carriages passed.

It took him some time to realise that he had just passed Mr. Osborne.

He checked Amelia’s expression. She hadn’t noticed anything. And so he turned his horse around and went back to speak to George’s father.

‘Mr. Osborne, Mr. Osborne!’ cried Dobbin as he rode up to the carriage.

Dobbin held out his hand to the older gentleman, but Osborne made no attempt to accept it. He merely shouted at the driver to hurry up.

But Dobbin was not a man who gave up easily. ‘I must see you,’ he said. ‘Please stop! I have a message for you.’

‘From that woman?’ asked Osborne angrily.

‘No,’ replied Dobbin. ‘From your son.’ Mr. Osborne asked the driver of the carriage to slow down, and the two men went back to Osborne’s hotel together.

‘Have you any commands for me Major Dobbin?’ said Mr. Osborne in a sarcastic tone. ‘For better men than you are dead, and you step into their shoes.’

‘Better men are dead,’ replied Dobbin. ‘I want to speak to you about one of them.’

‘Make it short, sir,’ said Osborne. ‘And do not waste my time.’

‘I am here as George’s closest friend,’ said Dobbin. ‘Are you aware of how little money he had left, and the difficult circumstances of his widow?’

‘I do not know his widow, sir,’ replied Osborne. ‘Let her go back to her father.’

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‘Mrs. Osborne, … I mean, Amelia’s condition is bad. I do not know if she will recover. There is only one chance left for her. And I have come to speak to you about this. She will be a mother soon.

A baby is arriving. The question I want to ask you is this. Will you at least forgive Amelia for the child that is to come? You will be a grandfather. Why should the child suffer? He or she has done no wrong.’

Osborne’s expression remained unchanged. He truly believed that he had been a generous and good father, and that George had died without admitting that he was wrong.

‘I have sworn never to speak to that woman or to recognise her as my son’s wife. And that is what you may tell her. I will stick to this decision to the last day of my life.’

‘I could tell her this,’ thought Dobbin, ‘but she would not react to it or even notice it. Her mind is too filled with sorrow*. Good and evil are indifferent to her now, as are friendship and kindness.’

Sorrow filled Amelia’s heart for many, many months. People tried to help her through the pain. But this pain never left her until the day came when her child was born. A child! A child with the eyes of George. A beautiful little boy. What a miracle it was to hear his first cry. How she laughed and cried when she heard it. Amelia was saved, by a little boy called Georgy.

The people who had been with her during those terrible months of grief could see Amelia laugh, could see her eyes, alive again. Our friend Dobbin was one of those people. It was he who brought her back to England, to her mother’s house. And Dobbin became the child’s godfather.

sorrow intense sadness

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Amelia nursed the baby. She wouldn’t let anyone else touch him.

He was her life. Her heart was his. Dobbin looked on, watching Amelia’s heart, knowing that there was no place there for him. He would arrive almost every day with armfuls of toys for the child. But his heart was breaking. He was not made of stone and after about six months he could take no more.

One day, when the boy was about six months old, Dobbin didn’t only have toys with him. He also had some important news.

‘I have come to say goodbye Amelia,’ said Dobbin, taking her slender little white hand.

‘Goodbye? But where are you going?’ she said with a smile.

‘Will you write to me? I will be in India. I shall be away for a long time.’

‘I will write to you about Georgy,’ she replied. ‘How good you have been to him and me. Look at him. He is like an angel.’

Dobbin was lost for words for a moment. All he could say, and it took all of his strength, was ‘God bless you.’

‘God bless you Dobbin,’ replied Amelia.

Amelia heard the noise of the carriage driving away. And while Dobbin was leaving the scene, she was looking at her child, who was laughing in his sleep. === The soldiers had stopped marching, and the war had ended. But time marched on. Four years had passed since the Battle of Waterloo.

Becky and Rawdon were now living in London. They had returned as soon as the moment arrived that everyone had been waiting for. Old Miss Crawley had died. Becky acted quickly, hoping that Old Miss

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Crawley had changed her will. She went to London immediately with her husband and son. But the old lady had left them almost nothing.

Almost everything was left in the hands of Rawdon’s brother, Mr. Crawley. It was he who had been victorious in this battle. Rawdon had only received 100 pounds.

So how had Rawdon’s brother won this particular battle? Mr. Crawley had a woman to thank for his good fortune. He had met Lady Jane Sheepshanks soon after the war. She was a quiet and gentle woman with soft eyes. As soon as they were engaged, Mr. Crawley went to visit his aunt with his new fiancée. They talked about the weather, the war, and about doctors. Safe, neutral subjects. Old Mrs. Crawley was very impressed with shy and humble Lady Jane, and it wasn’t long before she became a constant visitor. Finally Old Miss Crawley had found somebody whose company she enjoyed. She had found a replacement for Becky.

In the early Spring of 1816, there was a birth and a marriage.

These are usually happy events, but they brought no joy to Becky.

Becky and Rawdon had a baby. A son and heir had arrived, but this heir had nothing to inherit. Old Miss Crawley had decided to leave almost all her wealth and property to Lady Jane. In Vanity Fair things move quickly, and it was no surprise to anybody when Mr. Crawley married Lady Jane soon after.

And so it was that Becky and Rawdon found themselves in great financial difficulty. ‘How did they manage?’ People always asked this of Becky and Rawdon. ‘How can they, how can anybody live on …nothing a year?’ Becky and Rawdon were in debt. The only way out for them was to improve their relationship with Rawdon’s brother, and his new wife.

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‘When I finally meet Lady Jane, she will help me to enter London society,’ thought Becky. With this in mind, Becky dictated a letter to Rawdon, congratulating his brother, and saying how happy he was that the money had remained in their branch of the family. Mr. Crawley responded to the letter favourably, and so finally a reconciliation was brought about between the two brothers.

‘We just have to be very careful Rawdon, and take one step at a time,’ said Becky. ‘It is important to establish a good relationship with your brother. One day, when your father dies, he will become Sir Pitt.’

And soon after, that day arrived. Sir Pitt died, alone and unloved.

The government of his estate was given to his eldest son. Mr. Crawley became Sir Pitt. Queen’s Crawley was his. One of the first things that the new heir did was to invite his brother Rawdon, and Becky to the funeral. He was determined to treat the family kindly and respectfully, and to make a real home out of Queen’s Crawley once more, after the excesses of his father.

Rawdon was only half pleased however, when he received the letter. ‘What is the use of going to that stupid place,’ he thought. ‘I hate being with my brother, and it will cost at least 20 pounds to get to the funeral.’

Becky’s reaction was completely different. ‘Hooray,’ she shouted.

‘Rawdon, please try to understand you stupid creature. Now Lady Jane can help me. We are back in the family. And your brother can get you a seat in parliament.’

Becky took the same journey that she had taken nine years before, to Queen’s Crawley. She bowed and smiled to everyone

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she met at the funeral, and later she came back to the old house.

Lady Jane, who was radiant after the birth of her first child, showed Becky her rooms.

‘How can I make you comfortable?’ asked Lady Jane.

‘What I would like best,’ cried Becky, ‘would be to see your dear child.’ This was of course exactly the right thing to say to a loving mother. Lady Jane accompanied her to the nursery. In half an hour, they were close and intimate friends. Becky was delighted. They were back in the family.

Rawdon thought that Becky was so clever. Taken away from his military life, he was no longer Colonel Crawley. He was just Mrs. Crawley’s husband. Becky had a lot of influential admirers. One of them was a man named Lord Steyne. He had been a frequent visitor to her home over the last months, and he was immensely rich and powerful. Rawdon often felt therefore that he was in his wife’s shadow.

Becky had plenty of time for Lord Steyne, but she hardly took any notice of her son. Rawdon, on the other hand, adored him. His name was Rawdon Junior, and father and son became great friends. Rawdon would bring him sweets, and toys, and would often go for a walk in the park with him. It was on one of these days, when Rawdon and his son were walking, that he met an old gentleman, with a boy of about the same age. Soon the conversation turned to military matters.

‘So you were at Waterloo,’ said the old gentleman.

‘Yes I was,’ replied Rawdon. ‘It was quite a battle.’

‘This boy’s father was also there, wasn’t he Georgy?’

‘Yes,’ replied the little boy.

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‘He was a captain,’ continued the old gentleman. ‘Captain George Osborne, perhaps you knew him. He died a hero.’

‘I knew him very well sir, and his wife, his dear little wife. How is she?’

‘She is my daughter,’ said the old gentleman, who was of course Mr. Sedley. More than four years had passed. Rawdon Jr and Georgy were growing up. They were both nearly five years old. Who knows when their paths would meet again?

Now let us answer the question that Rawdon had asked Mr. Sedley.

How was Amelia? After nearly five years Amelia continued to invest all of her love in her son. She taught him to read and write. Two or three times a year, she would write to Dobbin. Letters all about Georgy. Dobbin treasured the letters. His thoughts often turned to Amelia’s son. He was determined to pay for a good education for little Georgy.

One day Dobbin’s sisters came to visit. They had news for Amelia.

They had good reason to believe that Dobbin was going to be married to an Irish woman named Glorvina O’ Dowd.

‘Oh,’ replied Amelia. She was very happy. But for some reason when she took Georgy into her arms and kissed him, there were tears in her eyes. She hardly spoke a word all day, although she was of course very happy indeed.

Dobbin was in India, and far away from his beloved Amelia.

‘Good God!’ he would often say to himself. ‘Amelia when will you understand that I only love you in the world? You, who I looked after through all those months of illness and grief. You, who said farewell to me with a smile on your face, and forgot me before the door shut between us!’

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Glorvina O’ Dowd could not read Dobbin’s kind and generous heart. If that had been so, Amelia’s sweet face would not have been on Dobbin’s mind any longer. But Dobbin wasn’t interested in Glorvina.

One evening, Dobbin received a letter from George’s sister. The letter left him in a great state of agitation. After reading it, he went straight to the colonel to tell him something, ‘I want to be off – now – tonight! I must go to England, on the most urgent private business.’

What had happened? What had made Dobbin react in this way?

This is a portion of the letter that he had just read.

There is hope that father may accept his grandson Georgy after all.

Maybe Amelia will give him up for adoption. Amelia is about to marry a man named Mr. Binney. A poor match. But Amelia is getting older, so maybe this is her last hope.

Now it is no secret that Amelia had her fair share of admirers. Mr. Binney was certainly one of them. But Amelia had no intention of marrying this man. Dobbin wasn’t aware of this of course, and was already on his way home. But first he wanted to find Joseph who was in another part of India.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading Comprehension 1a Why do you think the chapter you have just read has the title Time Marches On?

1b Can you think of an alternative title?

2 Look at these statements and decide which are true (T) and which are false (F).

T F 1 Mr. Osborne saw the place where his son had died.

2 Amelia recognised Mr. Osborne as he passed her in his carriage.

3 Mr. Osborne told Dobbin that he wouldn’t help Amelia’s child.

4 Amelia was very sad when Dobbin went away.

5 Becky and Rawdon didn’t have much money.

6 Old Miss Crawley went to live with John Crawley and Lady Jane.

7 Rawdon didn’t have much in common with his brother.

8 Rawdon felt closer to his son than he did to Becky.

9 Dobbin was going to marry a woman named Glorvina O’ Dowd.

10 Dobbin left India because he thought that Amelia was about to get married.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

3 Who or what is being described?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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The place was like a vast military hospital. ............

She had a wound that medicine had no effect on. ............

He was her life. Her heart was his. ............

She was shy and humble. ............

He was in his wife’s shadow. ............

He was an immensely rich and powerful friend of Becky. ............

Dobbin thought that Amelia was going to marry him. ............

Vocabulary 4 Read the sentences about Chapter 6 and choose a suitable linking word. Some linking words can be used more than once. although • as soon as • because • in order to • in spite of • instead of • so • however 1

When Mr. Osborne saw Amelia, he realised that he hated her, ............................. he didn’t know how much until that moment.

2 ............................. Dobbin recognised Mr. Osborne, he turned his horse around and tried to reach his carriage.

3 Mr. Osborne thought that Dobbin was only a major ............................. better people like his son had died at Waterloo.

4 ............................. Rawdon’s bravery at Waterloo, Old Miss Crawley hadn’t changed her opinion of his relationship with Becky.

5 John Crawley began to realise that he could inherit his aunt’s money ............................. Rawdon.

6 Old Miss Crawley was ............................. impressed with Lady Jane that she asked her to visit often.

7 Becky wanted to enter London society, so she told Rawdon to write a letter to his brother ............................. to seek a reconciliation.

8 Becky had many admirers ............................. Rawdon often felt under his wife's shadow.

9 Amelia seemed happy when she heard of Dobbin and Glorvina. ............................. that day she hard spoke a word.

10 Dobbin left India ............................. he read the letter about Mr. Binney.

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Discussion Points 5a Lady Jane and John Crawley talked with old Miss Crawley about safe, neutral subjects. What subjects do you think were not safe to talk about?

5b What subjects are safe and neutral in the world today, and which are not safe to talk about?

6 ‘Better men than you are dead, and you step into their shoes.’

Do you think that this is true? Think of the other men so far in this story that are listed below. Discuss the strong and weak points of their character. Is there a better man than Dobbin?

1 Rawdon Crawley 2 John Crawley 3 Mr. Osborne 4 Sir Pitt Crawley 5 George Osborne 6 Joseph Sedley

7 Becky and Rawdon had no money. How do you think they lived on ‘nothing a year?’ What did they do to survive?

Writing 8 Becky went back to Queens Crawley. She took the same journey that she had taken nine years before. What has changed for Becky in that time? Write a short summary. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....……….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….…....……….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....…………..

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Prediction 9 What do you think will happen to Becky and Amelia in the next chapter? Give a mark out of five for the probability of these events happening, one being highly unlikely, and five being probable.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Becky will spend more time at Queens Crawley.

Becky will have an affair with Rawdon’s brother.

Becky will impress the people at Queens Crawley.

Amelia will fall in love with Dobbin.

Amelia will leave England.

Amelia will have some problems with her son.

Writing 10a Look at the picture on page 95 and describe the scene. Why do you think Amelia is so angry? What do you think has happened? ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....…… ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....……

10b Read Chapter 7 to find out if you are right.

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Chapter Seven

Amelia's Choice

5 Considerable time has passed since we have seen Mr. Osborne.

It had not been a happy time for him. Guilt, age, loneliness and disappointment continued to weigh him down. His black hair had begun to grow quite white soon after his son’s death. He terrified his daughters, and although he had money and respect, he was a thoroughly miserable man.

His daughters would often speak of little Georgy. They even went for walks in the park, in the hope of seeing him. And then they would speak of the boy to their father. At first Mr. Osborne resisted, but little by little he warmed to the idea of accepting him into the family.

‘I am going to formally offer to take the boy,’ he said. ‘He will be my heir. Of course I will give Amelia some money. She can see her son now and again, but it must be understood that the child will always stay here.’ And so the offer was sent to Amelia.

Amelia lived for her son. All she hoped for was to live to see her son as great and glorious as he deserved to be. She had never shown anger in public more than two or three times in her life. But this was such a time. As soon as she heard of this offer, she went to Mr. Osborne’s lawyer, and tore the paper into a hundred pieces, right in front of him.

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‘I, take money to part from my child! Who dares insult me by proposing such a thing? Tell Mr. Osborne that it is a cowardly letter, and I will not answer it. Good morning Sir!’ Amelia’s family were in desperate need of money. Mr Sedley was getting more and more into debt. His business ventures always failed.

Some money was sent to them, from whom she did not know. But it wasn’t enough.

She went into her room. She saw it all now. Her selfishness was hurting her boy. He could have wealth, station, and education. She just had to say the words and the boy would have a future, and her mother and father would have bread on the table. But what a terrible realisation! === It was Christmas, and Becky and her family went to enjoy the festivities at Queen’s Crawley. All the family had dinner together.

Rawdon Junior was delighted that Lady Jane sat next to him. He liked her, she was much kinder than his mother.

‘I like to dine here,’ he said to her.

‘Why?’ asked Jane.

‘I dine in the kitchen when I am at home,’ replied the boy.

Luckily for little Rawdon, his mother didn’t hear this. She was so engaged with Sir Pitt, encouraging him, and hanging on to his every word. But the words of the little boy planted the first seeds of doubt about Becky’s character in Lady Jane’s mind.

Queen’s Crawley had been much improved since Mr. Crawley became the new Sir Pitt. He did more than repair fences, however.

He set out to rebuild the reputation of the family, becoming a judge

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and a member of parliament. Lady Jane was instructed to be friendly with the right people, the other baronets, and their neighbours.

These baronets were now frequent guests at Queen’s Crawley. Becky had played a part in this new approach.

‘The government has its eyes on you,’ she once said. ‘Everyone says that you are the finest speaker in England. I can read your heart, Sir Pitt.’

‘How that woman understands me,’ thought Sir Pitt. ‘She is right.

I will show them. The world will hear of this Pitt Crawley.’

The family Christmas became a regular event at Queen’s Crawley.

Next Christmas, the family were all together once again. Becky always took the opportunity to impress Sir Pitt and his wife in order to secure her future. It was with this in mind that Becky thought it would be good to appear to be a tender and loving mother. She bent down to kiss her son during dinner.

‘You never kiss me at home, mamma,’ he said. And at this Becky gave him a rather unpleasant look.

Jealousy and mistrust gradually set in between the two women.

Sir Pitt seemed a little too attentive to Becky, and Rawdon Junior’s comments about his mother made Lady Jane feel very uneasy.

Lady Jane was sweet and kind. Becky hated that sort of goodness and simplicity, and found it difficult to hide her contempt. These two ladies didn’t see much of each other therefore, except on family occasions, while Sir Pitt often found time to see Becky.

And Becky’s attention to Sir Pitt was soon to meet with a great reward. One day Sir Pitt arrived at Rawdon and Becky’s house, in the family carriage. He got out in his splendid military uniform and went

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to fetch Becky and Rawdon. Becky was wearing an elegant white coat and was holding flowers. She stepped into the carriage, smiling graciously. She was so happy, as they made their way to the royal apartments. The King had promoted Sir Pitt to the position of High Sheriff, and they were going to witness the ceremony. They were actually going to meet the King!

Becky looked amazing. Her dress was much better than Lady Jane’s. ‘Where did she get those diamonds?’ everybody asked. Those diamonds belonged in a secret drawer in Becky’s bedroom. Some of them had been given to her by Sir Pitt. And others she had received from various admirers, including Lord Steyne.

After this meeting, the name of the King was always on Becky’s lips, and she declared him to be the most charming of men. Now she thought that she was too good for certain kinds of people.

‘One must not be seen with doubtful people,’ she would say.

‘Rawdon, you may go and dine with them, as you wish, but I must not and I will not.’

This feeling of superiority was reinforced a few days after the presentation. Lady Steyne’s carriage drove up to the door. And two calling cards* were delivered. Becky felt like she had finally arrived.

Lord Steyne came to visit a couple of hours later. He looked around the room, and saw the calling cards on the mantelpiece, and he grinned, cynically, as he did when he saw any sign of human weakness.

‘Well,’ said the old gentleman. ‘You are determined to become a fine lady. But how can you manage it? You have no money.’

‘I am sure you will find us a place in society.’

calling card a card with the address of the sender

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‘You have got no money, and you want to compete with those that have. All women are alike. Everybody is trying to obtain that which is not worth having. You will come to dine. You will give me no rest until you get there. It is much nicer here. You will be bored there. I am. And how the women will bully you. Look out!’

Becky hung down her head. ‘We are completely ruined.’

‘How much do you owe?’ asked Lord Steyne.

Becky told him, but doubled the real amount. ‘I could not help it,’ she said. ‘I have kept it a secret from everybody, but you – you forced it from me. What shall I do Lord Steyne? For I am very, very unhappy.’

Lord Steyne did not reply, and he left the room. Becky did not hold her head up again until the door slammed shut and she heard the carriage drive away. And then she lifted her head up, with an expression of mischief on her face and burst out laughing.

That night there were two notes from Lord Steyne’s house. One contained an invitation to dinner the next day, while the other was a piece of grey paper bearing Lord Steyne’s signature. It was money, and lots of it.

The next day she took out the money from the bank. She thought about the people she owed money to, and she gave them a little, with the promise of more. And then she put the rest, 1,000 pounds, into the secret drawer in her bedroom.

There were families in London who would have given a year’s income to have the honour of an invitation from Lady Steyne. She held the highest rank in Vanity Fair. Becky was thrilled to receive such an honour. Rawdon, on the other hand, felt uncomfortable. He was 45 years old. By now all women, except for his wife and Lady Jane,

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scared him. During the dinner he didn’t make a single remark, except to say that the weather was exceptionally hot.

Becky was ignored by most of the women, including Lady Steyne.

She didn’t really want to invite Becky, but Lord Steyne had insisted. ‘I will not invite that woman,’ she had said.

‘Who are you to give orders here? You have no brains. You are here to have children, and not to question me. You will receive Becky and her husband with cordiality.’

She had invited them. But it was much more difficult to be cordial to a woman she thought was beneath her. When dinner was finished the ladies were left alone, and Becky felt very alone. Nobody wanted to speak to her, but then Lady Steyne remembered her duty and saved her. She asked Becky to play some Mozart on the piano. Becky played and sang so beautifully that there were tears in Lady Steyne’s eyes. The other women tried to ignore the music, but the hostess was enchanted. This session was interrupted when the men came back in the room. Lord Steyne opened the doors, laughing loudly. He saw at a glance what had happened, and was grateful to his wife for once. === Amelia slept little by now. The terrible thought kept returning to her.

She tried to stop thinking the unthinkable; that she had to part with the boy. For two weeks she was in conflict, but reality was pressing against her. To keep her son would mean poverty, misery and hunger for all, including her boy.

She had to give him up. There was no other option, and so she wrote a letter to Mr. Osborne, telling him that she had changed her mind. Amelia broke the news to Georgy with great caution. But he was delighted.

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‘I have been waiting for this day,’ he said eagerly. ‘I will come and visit you, and we will drive in the park, and you will have everything you want.’ Amelia turned her head away, to hide her grief. She tried to justify her son’s selfish expressions of affection, and to convince herself that Georgy loved her in his own way.

The child went away smiling, as the mother’s heart was broken.

She had waited for an angel to intervene, but no such thing happened.

The day arrived, and the child left, leaving her totally alone. === Becky’s visit to Lord Steyne had had favourable consequences. She was admitted into the highest circles. Soon she was invited to another party at Gaunt House. Rawdon accompanied her, but he was scared of these triumphs. He felt that his wife was becoming more and more like a stranger.

He didn’t even have the consolation of his son any more. Lord Steyne had helped to get him into a good public school, and he had agreed. Why shouldn’t his son have a good education? He didn’t know how much he loved the child until he had gone. He often looked at the empty bed in his son’s bedroom, where Rawdon Jr. used to sleep. He would seek out Lady Jane, who also loved the little boy. Rawdon felt that he was losing his wife. She didn’t care about their son. She was too busy thinking about her pleasures, and her advancement in society.

When the time came to leave the party, a crowd of young men escorted Becky to her carriage. Rawdon watched her get into the carriage and drive off. He had decided to walk home with an old friend, Mr. Wenham. As they were walking a man came up to Rawdon and tapped him on the shoulder.

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‘Beg your pardon, Colonel. I wish to speak to you. It’s very urgent.’

Rawdon knew at once who it was. It was the bailiff*. ‘There are three of us. There’s no point in running,’ the bailiff added.

‘How much do I owe?’ Rawdon asked.

‘It’s only a small amount. 170 pounds.’

‘Lend me a hundred Wenham,’ asked Rawdon. ‘I have 70 at home.’

‘I do not have it I am sorry,’ said the friend. ‘Goodnight my dear fellow.’ Rawdon finished his cigar, as he made his way in the company of the bailiffs to the prison at Temple Bar. This was not the first time that Rawdon had ended up in such a place. It is something that can happen occasionally to a man who lives on nothing a year.

‘You’ll find your old bed Colonel, and everything comfortable,’ said the bailiff. ‘A little cards or music afterwards perhaps?’

‘I will ring you when I want anything,’ replied Rawdon. He could have contacted Becky at that moment, but he decided to wait until morning. ‘She will be asleep by now,’ he thought.

In the morning, Rawdon called for a pen and some paper – and he composed his letter.

Dear Becky, I hope you slept well. Do not be frigtened that I didn’t bring your coffee last night. I was coming home smoaking, when I was taken by a baliff. I owe a hundered and seventy. Please send me some cloths. I have 70 pounds at home. Try and get the rest by tonight. The beds here are not very clean. I am glad it is not Rawdon Jr’s Saterday for coming home, RC P.S Hurry please!

bailiff a bailiff looks for people in debt

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Rawdon watched the messenger as he made his way out of the building. He felt quite relaxed. It would probably take about three hours for Becky to arrive and open the prison doors. He passed the time reading and smoking. The day passed, but no messenger returned. He had dinner, but he didn’t feel very hungry. While eating however, he heard the messenger arrive. He returned with a bag, and a letter.

Mon Pauvre Cher Petit, I could not sleep at all thinking of what had become of my Rawdon. You may imagine how I felt when I read your letter.

I felt ill, but I tried to get the money. I asked my friend, Mr. Milor. He complimented me about my singing at the party last night. I begged him to give me 200 pounds. He went away promising to send it in the morning, when I will bring it to my poor dear Rawdon, Becky P.S I am writing this in bed where I have such a headache, and a heartache.

After reading this letter, Rawdon turned red with rage. All his suspicions about Becky returned. She could not go out and sell her jewellery to free him. She could talk about compliments paid to her, while he was in a dirty prison. Who had put him here? Was there…?

Did she…? He could hardly bear to think of what he suspected.

Leaving the room quickly he wrote a short message to Lady Jane.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Read the statements below. Who makes these comments and who are they speaking to?

1 2 3 4

5 6

‘I dine in the kitchen when I am at home,’ ......................... is speaking to .............................

‘Everyone says that you are the finest speaker in England.’ ............................. is speaking to .............................

‘I will not invite that woman.’ ............................. is speaking to .............................

‘You are determined to become a fine lady. But how can you manage it? You have no money.’ ............................. is speaking to .............................

‘Who are you to give orders here?’ ............................. is speaking to .............................

‘I have not got it I am sorry. Goodnight my dear fellow,’ ............................. is speaking to .............................

Vocabulary 2 Complete the sentences with the correct word. anger • comfortable • hunger • mischievous • selfish • jealous • poverty 1 2 3

4

5

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Amelia was shocked by Georgy’s ............................. reaction to the news that he was going to live with his grandfather.

Lady Jane was very ............................. when Becky spoke to her husband, Sir Pitt.

At first Amelia reacted with ............................. to Mr. Osborne’s offer to adopt Georgy, but eventually she had to accept to avoid ............................. and ..............................

Although Rawdon had to go to prison, it was quite a ............................. and painless experience. It seemed more like a hotel than a prison.

Lord Steyne was fascinated by Becky. He thought she was intelligent and ............................. .

3 Use the key word in bold to complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

His daughter would often speak of little Georgy.

USED His daughters ..................................... speak of little Georgy.

Becky was so engaged with Sir Pitt that she didn’t notice her son’s comment to Lady Jane.

BUSY Becky was so ..................................... that she didn’t notice her son’s comment to Lady Jane.

Rawdon Jr’s comment about his mother made Lady Jane very uneasy.

DISCONCERTED Lady Jane ..................................... Rawdon Jr’s comments about his mother.

Lord Steyne would always grin at any sign of human weakness.

MADE Any sign of human weakness always ..................................... .

‘How the women will bully you at the party,’ said Lord Steyne to Becky.

WORRIED Lord Steyne was ..................................... Becky at the party.

Becky’s Piano playing was interrupted when the men came back into the room.

BEEN Becky ..................................... the piano when the men came back into the room.

Rawdon had been to prison before for not paying his debts.

TIME This ..................................... Rawdon had been to prison for not paying his debts.

Rawdon began to suspect his wife's behaviour.

SUSPICIOUS Rawdon began ..................................... his wife's behaviour.

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Speaking 4 ‘Lord Steyne looked around the room, and saw the cards on the mantelpiece, and he grinned, as he did when he saw any sign of human weakness.’ What sign of weakness is the author talking about?

Spelling 5 Look again at Rawdons letter on page 102. He has made six spelling mistakes. Can you correct them?

1 2 3 4 5 6

…………............………………. …………............………………. …………............………………. …………............………………. …………............………………. …………............……………….

Collocations 6 Connect the following phrases to make expressions that you can find in Chapter 7.

1 2 3 4 5 6

■ to hang on ■ to plant ■ to read ■ to burst out ■ to hang down ■ to tap someone

a seeds of doubt b your head c laughing d to every word e your heart f on the shoulder

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Discussion Points 7 There are two young children in the story, Rawdon Jr. and Georgy. What kind of future do you think they will have? Who will have the most difficult time in your opinion?

Writing 8 ‘Everybody is trying to obtain that which is not worth having,’ says Lord Steyne in this chapter. Do you agree with this observation? How true is it today? Write down your ideas. ……………………………………………………………………...................………………….....……….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….…....……….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....………….. ……………………………………………………………………...................……………….....…………..

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading & Writing 9 Re-read the end of Chapter 7. Rawdon asks himself, ‘Who had put him there? Was there? Did she?’ Can you complete his two questions?

Was there ............................................................................................................?

Did she .................................................................................................................?

10 Look at the picture on page 109. Does this help you to answer the questions you had to complete in exercise 9?

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Chapter Eight

The Terrible Discovery

After an hour, the wheels of a carriage could be heard driving up to the prison. Lady Jane had come to free him. ‘It is me,’ said Lady Jane.

Rawdon ran up to her, relieved to hear her sweet voice, and cried on her shoulder.

When he had recovered, Rawdon left her and walked home quickly. It was 9pm. He ran across the streets and the great squares of Vanity Fair. He looked up at the dining room windows. They were blazing with light. Becky had said that she was in bed and ill. He stood there for some time, and then entered his house. He went up the stairs quietly. He could hear laughter and singing, and a male voice shouting ‘Brava, Brava’. It was Lord Steyne’s voice.

Rawdon opened the door and went in. Dinner was laid out, and Steyne was hanging over the sofa on which Becky was sat. Becky was dressed to perfection. Lord Steyne had her hand in his, and he was just about to kiss it.

Becky looked horrified as she caught sight of Rawdon’s white face. She tried to smile, it was a horrible smile. Lord Steyne got up immediately. He too attempted a smile, and extended his hand. ‘How do you do Rawdon?’ he said.

But Becky could read her husband’s face. She threw herself in

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front of him. ‘I am innocent Rawdon!’ she cried. ‘Before God I am innocent! Say I am innocent,’ she appealed to Lord Steyne.

But Steyne thought that it was a trap. ‘You,… innocent!’ he said.

‘Why everything you have on your body is paid for by me. I have given you thousands of pounds which your husband has spent, and for which he has sold you. You are as innocent as your mother, the … the dancing girl. And you are not going to frighten me, as you have the others. Make way and let me pass,’ not doubting for a moment that Rawdon would let him do so.

Rawdon grabbed Steyne by the neck. ‘You lie, you dog!’ said Rawdon. He struck Lord Steyne twice on the face and threw him bleeding to the ground. It was all done before Becky could intervene.

She stood there, trembling before him. At the same time, she admired her husband, strong, brave and victorious.

‘Come here!’ said Rawdon to Becky. Becky came at once. He tore off a diamond ornament from her dress and threw it at Lord Steyne.

It cut him on the head, Steyne would wear this scar until his dying day, and then Rawdon ordered his wife to come upstairs with him.

‘Do not kill me Rawdon!’ begged Becky.

Rawdon laughed. ‘I want to see if that man lies about the money as he lies about me. Has he given you any?’

‘No!’ said Becky ‘Give me your keys,’ demanded Rawdon. Becky gave him all her keys except one. The key that belonged to the secret drawer.

She hoped he wouldn’t notice. Rawdon started opening boxes and wardrobes, throwing everything on the floor, until at last he found the desk with the secret drawer. Becky was forced to open it. It contained

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papers, love letters, and a wallet full of bank notes. Some were quite old, and one note was for 1,000 pounds. It was the note that Steyne had given her.

‘Did he give you this?’ asked Rawdon.

‘Yes,’ admitted Becky.

‘I will send it to him today. And I will use the rest to pay off some of our debts. You might have given me a hundred pounds Becky – out of all this. I have always shared with you.’

‘I am innocent,’ said Becky again, but Rawdon had left without saying another word. Becky remained in the room for hours. The room was in a mess. Everything was on the floor, all that she owned.

She knew he would never come back. He was gone forever.

Rawdon went to his brother’s house in London. It was early, so he waited in the study for him to get up. He tried to read a newspaper to pass the time. But he couldn’t read anything. Punctually at nine, his brother arrived. He descended the stairs majestically, a real old English gentleman. He was shocked when he saw poor Rawdon in his study, with red eyes and his hair un-brushed. He thought that his brother was drunk.

‘Good heavens Rawdon! What brings you here at this time of morning? You should be at home.’

‘Home! Do not be frightened. I am not drunk.’ His brother closed the door and sat down. ‘It is all over for me. I am finished.’ And then he explained everything to his brother.

‘It was a plan between the two. The bailiffs took me so they could enjoy the evening together,’ Rawdon added. ‘After leaving you I have to make the necessary arrangements for the duel* with Lord Steyne.

duel a formal agreement where two people try to shoot each other

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And as it may end fatally for me, and my boy has no mother, I would have to leave him to you and Jane. It would be a comfort for me if you will promise to be his friend.’ His brother was moved. He consented to this request and shook his brother’s hand warmly. ‘Thank you brother, I know I can trust your word. Here is some money to start paying off some of the debts, I have only kept a few pounds that I will give back to Becky.’

As he spoke his hands were shaking so much that the wallet fell on the floor, and out of it came the thousand pound note which Lord Steyne had given to Becky. Sir Pitt picked it up, amazed at so much wealth.

‘Not that,’ Rawdon said. ‘I hope to put a bullet into the man whom that belongs to.’

At a friend’s house, Rawdon wrote a letter to Lord Steyne, to arrange the duel. The letter also explained that he had 1,000 pounds in his possession, which he believed to be his property.

Meanwhile Becky was still at home, thinking about her future.

‘To be so near, and to lose it all. Is it too late?’ she thought. She made a decision, got dressed and went to Sir Pitt’s house. She entered the house and into Sir Pitt’s study before the astonished baronet could even put down his newspaper. Sir Pitt turned red. His face was full of alarm and horror.

‘Do not look like that,’ said Becky. ‘I am not guilty. Everybody is against me. I suppose you heard what happened last night. I knew that Lord Steyne was attracted to me. I wanted to use it to our advantage. I wanted Rawdon to get a good position and to make you a Lord. I confess I had money which Rawdon knew nothing

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about. Don’t you know how careless Rawdon is with money? I had to look after it.’

Becky continued to try and convince Rawdon’s brother. ‘I confess that I did everything in my power to make myself pleasing to Lord Steyne, and to get on his good side. When Rawdon came in, we were laughing because he had found a good job for Rawdon, and we were imagining his surprise. And then he came home, and, well you know what happened next.’

Becky got down on her knees, and took hold of Pitt’s hand. At that point Lady Jane walked into the room.

‘I am surprised that this woman dares to come here,’ said Lady Jane trembling. ‘To the house of an honest family.’

‘I think you do Becky an injustice,’ said Sir Pitt.

‘She is a wicked woman, a heartless mother, and a false wife. She does not love her dear little boy, who used to run here to tell me of her cruelty. She has brought nothing but misery to this family.’ Lady Jane turned her attention to her husband. ‘I have been a true and faithful wife to you Sir Pitt. But I tell you that I will not bear that woman under my roof. If she enters, I and my children will leave.

She should not sit down with Christian people. You must choose Sir, between her or me.’ And then Lady Jane, having spoken her mind, left the room.

In spite of his wife’s words, Sir Pitt had been convinced by Becky.

He promised to seek a reconciliation between her and his brother. This was not the first time that a man had been brought under Becky’s spell.

‘I think it was the diamonds you gave me, that is why she is so upset,’ said Becky.

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Rawdon was anxious. He waited for Lord Steyne’s reply. To pass the time he went to his favourite club. The room was almost empty.

But he saw a friend of his.

‘Rawdon,’ this man said, ‘I congratulate you! It’s in the newspaper.’

‘What are you talking about?’ replied Rawdon, quite surprised.

And then, trembling, he picked up the newspaper and began to read.

It was true. Rawdon had been given a job, with a salary of 3,000 pounds a year. He was to be the governor of Coventry Island, in the colonies.

Many questions crossed his mind. Who got him the job? Was it his brother? Or was it his enemy Lord Steyne? His thoughts were interrupted by a servant who brought a card, on which the name of Mr. Wendall was written.

Rawdon went out to meet him. He was obviously Lord Steyne’s friend. And this was the exchange: ‘How do you do Crawley, pleased to see you.’

‘You come from …?’

‘Exactly.’

‘Delighted to meet you I am sure.’

At this point the formal exchange, which can be heard before every duel, took an unexpected turn, and Mr. Wendall said, ‘I need to speak with you colonel. I hope the conversation leads to an agreeable conclusion, different from what you appear to anticipate. Have you seen the announcement in the papers, colonel? Three thousand a year, delightful climate, excellent house in the colonies, and a certain promotion. I congratulate you with all my heart. I assume you know who has helped you to receive this post.’

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‘No, I do not,’ replied Rawdon.

‘One of the most generous and kindest men in the world, my excellent friend, Lord Steyne.’

‘I will see him die, before I take that position,’ replied Rawdon.

‘Why? Look at the matter as an honest man, and see if you have not been in the wrong. You come home from a journey, and see Lord Steyne at your house with your wife. Have you not been in the same position a hundred times before?’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Rawdon.

‘I believe that Mrs. Crawley is as innocent as my wife. I found Lord Steyne this morning in a terrible state. A man of your strength.

It was a cruel advantage that you took of him. This appointment is proof of his kindness towards you. I only wish Mrs. Wendall and I had accepted your wife’s invitation to dinner as well.’

‘You were invited as well?’ asked Rawdon ‘Yes, here is the note of invitation – stop, no, this is another paper.

I thought I had it. But it is of no consequence – and I give you my word that it is true. If only we had come as well, but my wife had a terrible headache.’

Rawdon didn’t believe a word of this story, but he had the feeling that Lord Steyne was escaping him. How could he disprove the story?

There was to be no duel. He knew it was all over, but he would never forgive his wife. Rawdon resisted the job offer for some time.

But finally he had to accept that it was his only alternative. He left for Coventry Island to begin his duties without saying goodbye to his wife.

The secret of the duel that never happened was the talk of about fifty dinner tables in Vanity Fair. It was the talk of the town

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for about three days. Was Becky guilty? Who cared? We all know how the verdict of Vanity Fair goes when there is a doubt. Rumours flew around. Where was Becky? Some said Naples, others Calais.

But nobody knew with any certainty where she was, and what had happened to her. === Rawdon had parted, and not long after this, there was another parting. Amelia’s mother died. They buried her in the churchyard at Brompton, on a rainy day. Amelia had to use all of her strength to make her father happy for, just like Amelia, he felt completely alone.

She worked, she cleaned the house, she sang, played backgammon, read the newspaper, cooked, and went out for walks. All with an untiring smile to the old man who was her father.

But we are not going to leave these two people for much longer in such a sad state. Better days, as far as worldly prosperity were concerned, were ahead of them.

One morning, Amelia and her father were sitting on a bench in the park. Her father was chatting about the old days, telling stories that she had heard one hundred times before. And then she saw him.

It was Dobbin! Amelia at first was surprised, but then she looked up at him, smiling through her tears.

Dobbin was speechless for a moment. ‘I would like to take her in my arms now and tell her that I will never leave her,’ he thought. But he didn’t do this. ‘I have another arrival to announce,’ he said.

‘Is it Mrs. Dobbin?’ asked Amelia.

‘No! Who told you these lies? I mean that Joseph has come home on the same ship as me. He has come home to make you all happy.’

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Dobbin had set off as soon as he had read that letter, intent on going home with Amelia’s brother, Joseph. It took some time.

Dobbin caught a fever on the boat on the way to meet Joseph. He had learnt that Amelia wasn’t going to get married but, because of the fever, he thought he would never see Amelia’s sweet face or hear her voice again. But he recovered, and he made the long journey back to England with Joseph.

By now Joseph had become a wealthy man. Wealthy enough to provide for his sister and his father.

Amelia slept well that night and thought of Dobbin. ‘I am glad he is not married,’ she thought. ‘Who would be fit to marry a man as good as him?’ But she could not think of anybody suitable for the Major, and she finally fell asleep.

Soon Joseph found his family a comfortable place to stay in Gillespie Street. Dobbin was there when a carriage arrived at the new home with their belongings. He was delighted to see that the piano was among the possessions that Amelia had decided to keep.

‘I am glad you have kept it. I was afraid you did not care for it.’

‘I value it more than anything I have in the world,’ said Amelia.

‘Do you Amelia?’ cried Dobbin.

‘Of course. George gave it to me.’

Dobbin said nothing. But Amelia saw his expression. It struck her then that it was Dobbin who had given her the piano and not George.

It was not George’s gift, the only one which she had received from him. The prize that she valued more than any other was worthless to her now.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading Comprehension 1

Read the statements below. Who makes these comments?

1 ‘You are as innocent as your mother, the … dancing girl.’ .................

2 ‘You lie, you dog.’ .................

3 ‘Good heavens Rawdon!’ What brings you here at this time of the morning?’ .................

4 ‘Don’t you know how careless Rawdon is with money?’ .................

5 ‘You must choose Sir, between her or me.’ .................

6 ‘I will see him die before I take this position.’ .................

7 ‘Who told you these lies?’ I mean that Joseph is here on the same ship as me.’ .................

8 ‘I value it more than anything I have in the world.’ .................

Writing 2 Look at the questions below and write the answers.

1 Why was Lord Steyne so angry with Rawdon when he saw him? ..............................................................................................................................

2 Why did Becky say to Sir Pitt, ‘I think it was the diamonds you gave me.’? ..............................................................................................................................

3 Why didn’t Rawdon fight a duel with Lord Steyne? ..............................................................................................................................

4 Why did Rawdon decide to take the job on Coventry Island? ..............................................................................................................................

5 Why did Lady Jane mistrust Becky? ..............................................................................................................................

6 Why did Amelia’s piano become worthless to her? ..............................................................................................................................

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Grammar 3 Use the key word in bold to complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

‘I am innocent,’ said Becky when she saw Rawdon.

CLAIMED When Becky saw Rawdon she ..................................................

If Becky had used some of her money to free Rawdon, he wouldn’t have found out about the secret drawer.

ONLY .................................................., he wouldn’t have found out about the secret drawer.

When Sir Pitt saw his brother in the study he thought he was drunk.

DRINKING When Sir Pitt saw his brother in the study he thought that ....... ...........................................

‘If she enters my home, I and my children will leave,’ said Lady Jane.

THREATENED Lady Jane .................................................. if Becky entered her home.

Rawdon left for Coventry Island without saying goodbye to his wife.

BEFORE Rawdon never saw his wife .................................................. for Coventry Island.

Nobody knew with any certainty where Becky was, and what had happened to her.

IDEA Nobody .................................................. where Becky was, and what had happened to her.

Dobbin recovered from the fever and returned to England with Joseph.

OVER Dobbin .................................................. and returned to England with Joseph.

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Vocabulary 4 Look at some of the adjectives used in Chapter 8 and transform them into nouns.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

sweet strong brave innocent wicked true faithful generous

……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. ……………………………. …………………………….

Discussion Points 5 ‘She is a wicked woman, a heartless mother and a false wife,’ says Lady Jane about Becky. What kind of role in society do you think Becky would have if she were alive today? What job would she do? Would she be successful?

Writing 6 Rawdon’s quarrel with Lord Steyne was ‘the talk of about fifty dinner tables.’ What other events in the story do you think people would have gossiped about? Write them down. …………………………….…………………………….…………………………….………………………... …………………………….…………………………….…………………………….………………………... …………………………….…………………………….…………………………….………………………...

Speaking 7 How is gossip spread in today’s society? Do you think gossip is more common today?

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Note Taking 8 ‘This was not the first time that a man had been brought under Becky’s spell.’ How many men have been a victim of Becky’s charms in the story? Make some notes about how each of these characters have been affected by her.

George Osborne ……………………………………………………….............………………….

Rawdon Crawley ………………………………………………...............………………………..

Joseph Sedley ……………………………………………………………………............………....

Mr. Crawley ………………………………………………………………....……...............…………

Sir Pitt Crawley ………………………………………………….............………………………….

William Dobbin ……………………………………………….............…………………………….

Lord Steyne ………………………………………………………...............…………………………

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Speaking 9 The next chapter is the last. Do you think we will hear from Becky again?

10 The last chapter will bring the stories of our characters to a close. What do you think will happen to the following relationships?

1 2 3 4 5 6

Amelia and Dobbin Rawdon and Becky Lady Jane and Sir Pitt Georgy and Rawdon Jr. Mr. Osborne and Amelia Mr. Osborne and Mr. Sedley

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Chapter Nine

The Homecoming

‘I am afraid I have to apologise,’ said Amelia to Dobbin the next day.

‘About what?’ replied Dobbin.

‘About that little piano. I never thanked you when you gave it to me many years ago. I thought somebody else had given it to me.’

Dobbin could no longer control his feelings. ‘Amelia, I did buy it for you. I loved you then as I love you now. I think I fell in love with you when we went to the Vauxhall. Do you remember? I came to tell you this before I went to India, but you did not seem to care and I did not have the heart to speak.’

‘I was very ungrateful,’ replied Amelia. ‘But George is my husband, here and in heaven. How could I love another? Dobbin, my kindest friend and protector. Had you come a few months earlier, Georgy would not have been taken away from me. He is a noble boy, is he not? Be a friend to him.’ And at that point her voice failed her.

Dobbin put his arms around her and kissed her head. ‘I will always love you. Let me stay near you, and see you often.’

‘Yes, often,’ said Amelia softly.

The comfortable house in Gillespie Street had at least given Amelia the opportunity to see more of Georgy. Mr. Osborne encouraged this, seeing no reason why his grandson shouldn’t inherit Joseph’s fortune as

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well as his own. Georgy adored Dobbin. He loved him for his simplicity and his love of truth and justice. He had never met a man like him.

‘I like him mama, because he knows a lot of things. And when we go out, he tells me stories about Papa, and never about himself.’

Georgy would tell Mr. Osborne the same thing. And, little by little, the old man began to respect Dobbin. He was no longer an enemy. It was clear to him that Dobbin was an honest man, with a noble spirit.

In his old age Mr. Osborne also began to appreciate the merits of Amelia. But Amelia and Mr. Osborne would never meet again to make peace formally. Two deaths put an end to such hopes.

One morning, the whole world got up to begin carrying out its various tasks, with the exception of Amelia’s father, who died in his sleep. And, just as life seemed to be getting back to normal, it was Mr. Osborne’s turn to leave the stage. He also died in his sleep.

Mr. Osborne’s will changed everything. He left half of his property to Georgy, and Amelia was given 500 pounds a year. But for Amelia the most important change was that Georgy was back under her roof. Her son was back!

A few days later, Amelia thought of what Mr. Osborne had said about Dobbin in his will. ‘My beloved son’s friend, who supported his wife Amelia and my grandson financially when they had no means.’ It was Dobbin who had always been there for them. She felt such gratitude.

But gratitude was all that she had to offer him. She often looked at the painting of her husband on her wall. It seemed to speak to him. ‘You are mine, and mine only, now and forever,’ it seemed to say.

As Amelia’s fortunes grew, people who didn’t want to know her when she was poor now came to visit her. She soon found herself in

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the middle of a very privileged circle. Amelia didn’t enjoy this company however, and she jumped for joy when Joseph proposed a trip abroad. === It was a happy time for our group, as they toured around Europe.

They went sightseeing, they would go for long walks, to the theatre and the opera. One evening, Joseph even went to a gambling house.

He was no gambler, but he enjoyed the excitement of gambling now and then.

At the gambling house, Joseph noticed a lady in a mask who was playing, and losing. This lady looked at Joseph. ‘Have you come to give me good luck?’ she said in a strong French accent.

‘Who are you?’ asked Joseph.

‘It is me Joseph!’ The lady’s accent had suddenly changed to perfect English. She took off her mask and looked at him. ‘But you have forgotten me.’

‘Becky!’ said Joseph.

‘Speak with me for a while Joseph,’ said Becky. ‘We are old friends after all, are we not?’

Within a few minutes he was totally under her spell again, and after half an hour he left the gambling house, convinced that Becky’s heart had first learnt to beat when she met him, and that she had never stopped thinking about him from that day. Joseph hurried back to tell Amelia about his meeting with Becky.

On hearing the news, old times, grief and anxiety rushed back into Amelia’s gentle heart.

‘Do not let me see her. I cannot see her,’ she said.

‘But she is very unhappy, and that sort of thing,’ said Joseph. ‘She

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has nobody. She does have a little boy, the same age as Georgy, but they took him away from her, and she is not allowed to see him.’

Those last words changed Amelia’s attitude completely. ‘Dear Joseph, let us go and see her now.’ They left immediately. When she saw Becky, Amelia hugged and kissed her. Even the hardest heart is touched by kindness like that. And so Becky returned Amelia’s affection with gratitude which was almost genuine. ‘They took your darling child from you. I know what a terrible thing it is to lose a boy,’ said Amelia.

‘My child?’ Becky seemed confused for a moment. ‘Oh, yes it was terrible. I thought I would die, but I recovered, and here I am, poor and friendless.’

It was decided. Becky was going to live with them. Becky was back!

Dobbin was the only one who tried to resist Becky’s return. He knew Becky for what she really was. He had always seen through her. At the first opportunity, when Amelia was alone, Dobbin tried to convince Amelia to change her mind.

‘Do not have her in the house. I beg you,’ he said.

‘I am astonished at you Dobbin,’ said Amelia. ‘You who are always so kind. Now is the time to help her. She is a friend.’

‘She has not always been your friend, Amelia. Have you forgotten how she behaved with George, just before he died?’

‘Major Dobbin!’ she cried, and walked out of the room.

Poor Dobbin. Those unlucky words had undone the work of many a year. He waited for another chance to explain everything.

Early next morning, he called on Amelia only to be told that she was unwell and didn’t intend to leave her room. In her bedroom she was thinking of the thing that had agitated her one hundred times before.

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She couldn’t sacrifice herself to Dobbin, in spite of his love, and the gratitude she felt for him.

In the afternoon, Dobbin finally managed to see her, but she was with Becky. Becky met him with a smile.

‘I beg your pardon Mrs. Crawley,’ he said ‘but I do not come here now as your friend.’

‘We are only two women,’ said Amelia. ‘You can speak now, sir.’

‘I have come to say that Becky should not be a part of this family.

She is not a suitable companion for you and your son. People have spoken to me about her behaviour in the past. They have told me some terrible things.’

‘What is your accusation?’ cried Becky. ‘My unfaithfulness to my husband? I dare anybody to prove it. Is it because I am poor and abandoned? Well, I am guilty of these faults.’

‘You should leave,’ said Dobbin. ‘If I have any authority in this house…’

‘Authority!’ cried Amelia. ‘I will not be insulted by you Major Dobbin!’ And with these words, the two women went to leave the room. But, as they were leaving, Dobbin took Amelia’s hand.

‘Can you stay a moment and speak to me alone?’ he said. Dobbin bowed to Becky as she left the room. Amelia turned to him. Her face was white.

‘I was confused when I spoke just now, and I misused the word authority.’

‘You did,’ replied Amelia, ‘and you insulted George’s memory yesterday. You know you did. And I will never forgive you. Never!’

‘You do not mean that Amelia,’ Dobbin said sadly. ‘You do not mean

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that those words, said in a hurried moment, are to weigh against a whole life of devotion.’ Amelia held down her head. ‘I have loved you and watched you for fifteen years. In that time I have learned to read all your feelings, and look into your thoughts. I know what your heart is capable of, but you are not worthy of my love. I always knew that the prize I had set my life on was not worth winning. I was a fool. I will wait no more. Goodbye Amelia! Let it end. We are both tired of it.’

Amelia stood silently as Dobbin spoke. He had placed himself at her feet for so long that the poor woman was shocked by his words.

She didn’t want to marry him, but she wished to keep him. She wanted to give him nothing, but wanted him to give her everything.

It’s a deal that is quite common in love.

Becky had heard everything. She had listened at the door. ‘What a noble heart that man has,’ she thought as he left. She admired Dobbin.

‘If only I had had a husband like that, a man with a heart, and brains too.’

Once more Dobbin was leaving. The next morning, Georgy was by the window when he saw Dobbin’s carriage. Georgy rushed down the stairs and on to the street. Dobbin was already in the carriage when the young boy jumped in with him, and threw his arms around his neck.

When Georgy got out of the carriage, it moved away. Dobbin never looked up as he passed under Amelia’s window, and as for Amelia, had she not done her duty? She had the picture of her husband to console her.

Amelia was not very happy however, after her heroic sacrifice.

She was nervous, silent and difficult to please, and she grew pale and ill. Dobbin had left Amelia. She was miserable. The memory of his countless acts of kindness presented itself to her. How could she have thrown away such a treasure?

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The group went to spend the summer at Ostend in Belgium.

Amelia didn’t really care where she went now. After observing Amelia for a few days Becky made a decision. A decision that was to change everything. She now felt secure. She had Joseph after all.

‘Amelia must not stay here in Ostend, alone,’ thought Becky. ‘She is still thinking about that husband – after 15 years. She must marry Dobbin. I will settle it all tonight.’

And so, Becky took a cup of tea to Amelia’s room that very evening.

‘Listen to me Amelia. You must leave here. Joseph cannot protect you. He is too weak and needs a protector himself. You must have a proper husband – one of the best gentlemen I have ever met has offered himself to you a hundred times, and you have rejected him.’

‘I tried my best Becky,’ replied Amelia. ‘I really did, but I could not forget,’ and she finished the sentence by looking up at the painting that she had brought with her to Belgium.

‘Could not forget him! That selfish man, who had no heart, cannot be compared to someone like Dobbin. George was tired of you and wanted to abandon you, but Dobbin forced him to keep his word. He told me this. George never cared for you. He used to make fun of you time after time, and he was flirting with me the week after he married you!’

‘This cannot be true!’ cried Amelia.

‘Look at this you fool,’ And then Becky took out a piece of paper, and gave it to Amelia. ‘You recognise his handwriting. He wrote that to me. He wanted me to run away with him. He gave it to me under your nose at that dance.’

Amelia did not hear Becky. She was looking at the letter. It was the note that George gave Becky at the dance, just before the battle

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began. Amelia wept and wept. Were they sweet or bitter tears? Was she crying because the idol of her life had been destroyed, or angry that her life had been wasted?

‘There is nothing to stop me now,’ she thought. ‘I may love him with all my heart now. If only he will forgive me.’

‘Now you must write to Dobbin,’ said Becky.

‘I already did this morning, before reading this note,’ replied Amelia. On hearing this, Becky screamed with laughter. === Two mornings later, Amelia got up early and went for a walk with Georgy. She looked at the sea. There were strong winds and the waves were rough.

‘I hope he does not come in such bad weather,’ said Amelia.

‘He will come, I know it,’ said Georgy.

Then they saw a ship. A hundred fears poured into Amelia’s little heart. Georgy had a telescope and looked at the boat. ‘There are two people on deck. How rough the sea is. The ship is moving a lot. I can see a tall man, in a cloak … It is Dobbin! I am sure,’ shouted Georgy with joy.

Amelia was also sure it was him. It could be no other, it had to be him. They went to the port to meet the ship. Amelia’s knees were shaking, she couldn’t move. She wanted to kneel down and pray.

The passengers got out. It was such an awful day that hardly any other people were there to greet the passengers. If there had been more people, they would have seen this sight.

A lady in a pale hat and coat with her two little hands reaching out, was disappearing under a man’s cloak. The man was kissing one of her hands, and holding on to her to stop her from falling down.

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Amelia looked up at Dobbin’s face. It was full of sadness, and tender love.

‘It was time you sent for me Amelia,’ said Dobbin.

‘Will you ever go away again Dobbin?’

‘No! Never.’

Georgy danced with glee around the couple, as he led them home.

And so here we are, at the end of our story. Goodbye George! God bless you honest Dobbin. === And so the performance is nearly over. There is little left to tell.

Dobbin left military service and rented a pretty country house in Hampshire, not far from Queen’s Crawley, where Sir Pitt and his family constantly resided. Lady Jane and Mrs. Dobbin became great friends, as did Georgy and Rawdon Junior.

Becky’s name was never mentioned by either family. Wherever Joseph went, she went with him. Joseph was her slave, and he got further and further into debt, until he died almost without a penny.

Becky had spent it all.

And what became of Becky’s husband, Rawdon? He died on Coventry Island. There was never to be any reconciliation with his wife. He died six weeks before his brother, Sir Pitt, and Rawdon Junior became his heir. Little Rawdon never forgave his mother. He did not share his good fortune with her. She lived out her days in the town of Cheltenham, thinking of what might have been.

Oh Vanity Fair! Who is really happy in this world? How many of us are truly satisfied? Come everybody. Let us close the box, and put the puppets back in, for our play is played out.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Speaking 1

Look again at the predictions you made in exercise 10 on page 121. Were you right? Did anything about the ending of the story surprise you?

Note Taking 2 Make some notes about how the story ended for the following characters.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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Amelia ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Dobbin ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Rawdon ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Becky ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Sir Pitt ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Lady Jane ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Rawdon Jr. ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Georgy ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Joseph ……………………………………………………………………....................………………….....…

Writing 3a At the beginning of the book, Thackeray promises us tales of battle, romance and comedy. Write down some examples of stories in the book that fit these descriptions.

1 battle 2 romance 3 comedy

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3b What is your favourite moment in the story?

Note Taking & Speaking 4a In this chapter Becky asks Dobbin, ‘What is your accusation?’

What had Becky done wrong in the eyes of society? Make a list of the things that she is guilty of.

4b Would Becky be accused of the same things in society today?

Discussion Points 5 Becky, like most women in those times, had to wear a mask at the gambling house. Why was this so? Can you think of any activities or professions that were considered unsuitable for women in the past but are acceptable now?

6 ‘Amelia didn’t want to give Dobbin anything, but she wanted him to give her everything. It is a deal that is quite common in love.’ Do you agree with the author’s comments about love and relationships?

7 How important was it that Amelia wrote the letter to Dobbin before reading George’s note? Why did Becky scream with laughter when she found out about this?

8 Look back at the exercise that you did in chapter five on page 78. Are the contents of your note similar to George’s note?

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William Makepeace Thackeray Following his own Path Thackeray was born in Calcutta in India in 1811. His father and grandfather had earned their living working as civil servants in the government of India. But such a steady form of employment was not for Thackeray. He was always independent, and in spite of going to various schools with an excellent reputation, and studying at Cambridge, he left university without getting a degree. He did, however, study Art in Paris in about 1834.

What Thackeray loved to do was write. While at Cambridge, he wrote for a paper called The Snob. His writing was always full of humour and satire. He wrote for Fraser’s Magazine in 1837, and he was on the staff of the famous satirical magazine Punch from 1842 to 1851.

During this time, he wrote Vanity Fair which

was a great success. He completed this masterpiece when he was 37 years old.

Other major works of Thackeray include The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon Esq. (1844), Pendennis (1848-1850), The History of Henry Esmond Esq. (1852), The Newcomers (18531855), and The Virginians (1857-1859).

A Compassionate Man Thackeray was well known for his good nature, as one can see from his time as editor of another journal of the period, The Cornhill Magazine. He began his work there in 1859, but in 1862 he resigned because he couldn’t bear having to turn down contributors who wanted to be published.

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Other Interests Although Thackeray spent a great deal of time following his main passion, that of writing, he also had another interest, which was gambling. He was extremely interested in politics and stood for

parliament, unsuccessfully, in Oxford in 1859. His interest in world affairs may have begun when he met Napoleon Bonaparte on his way back to England from India when he was a child.

Thackeray, the Husband and Father Thackeray’s married life was far from simple. His wife was an Irish woman, named Isabella. She was the daughter of a colonel and she had a beautiful singing voice. He modelled the character of Amelia on her. They had three daughters, but sadly one of them died very young.

Isabella suffered greatly with mental health problems, although she survived her husband by thirty years.

Thackeray himself died on December 24th in 1863. He was buried in Kensal Green in London, but there is a monument to him that can be seen at Westminster Abbey.

Portrait of Anne Becher Thackery and William Makepeace Thackeray at about age 2 in Madras

As you have just read, Thackeray modelled the character of Amelia on his wife. Reading through some of the details of his life can you identify other facts or events that may have had an influence on Vanity Fair?

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Vanity Fair Its Title The title Vanity Fair is a reference to a book written two hundred years earlier. In the novel Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, there is a place called Vanity Fair. The Fair is eternal and it is a place where selfishness is encouraged and everything you could possibly desire has a price and is on sale. The world that Thackeray describes in his novel is very similar to this.

Everybody in the time of Thackeray would have understood what the title of his book referred to.

Its Relevance Vanity Fair is a truly modern novel. It deals with a world that we know very well, and encounter every day. A selfish world governed by emotions like jealousy and hatred, and by acts of cruelty and hypocrisy. It is a world that is unfair, where people are judged not for what they do but by what they possess, and where what people say very rarely corresponds to what they really think. Many aspects of human nature are focused on in the book, and most of them do not put human beings in a very good light.

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There are some good people in the book however, but they do not live in Vanity Fair. Thackeray distinguishes between people who live in Vanity Fair – and people who do not. Most of the characters in the novel live in Vanity Fair. They are the people who have been tempted by its pleasures. The people who are outside this world are those that place more importance on building relationships, showing compassion, not as a means to an end, but as an end in itself.

Characters like Amelia and Dobbin are examples of people who do not give in to the many temptations of Vanity Fair.

Its Style Vanity Fair is a satirical novel.

Thackeray speaks to the reader as if he is confiding in you. He observes the behaviour of his characters, comments on it and then judges them. The actions of people are focused on more than their thoughts. The book is long. Thackeray often stops the story temporarily to make comments on aspects of human nature, on Money, Woman, Love and Society.

If Thackeray had written this famous novel today what features of our society do you think he would focus on?

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The Serial Novel

Vanity Fair was a serial novel. This means that it was written in instalments for a magazine. In order to read the whole story you had to buy the magazine every month. It was a way for poorer people to be able to follow a story without having to make the expensive purchase of a book.

It made economic sense obviously to make the story long. The longer the story, the more magazines were sold. It also meant that the author had 138

to end every ‘episode’ with a key moment, leaving a question in readers’ minds.

What will happen next? This would have encouraged readers to buy the next issue of the magazine.

You may think it odd that this kind of novel could be popular, but it is no different from the TV series and soap operas that are popular today. They too go on for a long time. At the end of every episode there is a ‘cliff hanger,’ something happens that compels you to watch the next episode. Like serial novels, soap operas have a lot of ‘padding’ which are events and information that is not essential to the main story. Thackeray padded his novel with insights into human nature. Here are some examples of this.

I knew a gentleman, a very worthy practitioner in Vanity Fair, who used to do little wrongs to his neighbours on purpose, in order to apologise for them in an open way.

He was liked everywhere and thought of as a very honest man.

I wonder, is it because men are cowards at heart that they admire bravery so much, and place military valour so far beyond every other quality for reward and worship?

If we knew what our dear relations thought of us, we would live in a world that we would be glad to quit.

We grieve at being found out, and at the idea of shame and punishment, but the mere sense of being wrong makes very few people unhappy in Vanity Fair.

What do men know about women’s suffering?

We would go mad if we had to endure a small part of those daily pains which woman have to deal with. Ceaseless slavery that meets with no reward.

Be humble in your prosperity! Be gentle with those who are less lucky. What right have you to be arrogant? Your success may be due to chance, your station in life may be an ancestor’s accident.

Which, I wonder, is the better. To die prosperous and famous, or poor and disappointed? To have, and to be forced to give it up, or to die with nothing, having played and lost the game? That must be a strange feeling, when our last day comes and we say, “Tomorrow, success or failure won’t matter much, and the sun will rise, people will go to work as usual, but I shall be gone.”

Other Famous Examples Thackeray wasn’t the only writer to use the serial novel to create suspense, and to increase interest in the story. Charles Dickens’ first novel, The Pickwick Papers, was written in four instalments. In fact many classic works of fiction began their life in this form. Some examples are Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, and George Eliot’s Middlemarch.

Look at the comments of Thackeray again. Which of them do you agree with?

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Waterloo The next morning, the Sunday church service was interrupted by the sound of the cannon of Waterloo.

There is an expression in English, ‘to meet your Waterloo.’ We use it to describe somebody who is completely defeated, and all is lost. The Battle of Waterloo was one of the most significant conflicts in British military history. Why was Waterloo so important, not just for the characters in this story, but for the whole of Europe?

Napoleon Bonaparte

Context

The Duke of Wellington

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France and its leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, had been at war with a number of European countries for most of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.

France had gained many victories but its progress had been slowed down by its disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. The defeat of France in this campaign allowed its enemies to invade France, and two years later Napoleon abdicated, and was exiled on the Island of Elba.

In March 1815, however, Napoleon escaped from the island and marched to Paris, gathering support along the way. He wanted to regain control of his empire.

A new coalition was formed, involving countries like Britain, Prussia and Austria. These countries saw Napoleon as a threat to world peace. Napoleon knew that he had to strike England first, and so he moved towards Antwerp, an important British naval base.

The British leader, the Duke of Wellington, had to stop him before he arrived there. This is why Waterloo, just outside Brussels, was chosen as the site of the battle.

The Battle The Duke of Wellington wanted to fight at Waterloo because he knew the land well, and he was promised support from the Prussian army. At the start of the battle he had 68,000 men, while Napoleon had 72,000.

It was a very even battle.

Napoleon attacked repeatedly but the British resisted and defended. Nobody knew who was going to win the battle. In Brussels, and even in London, many people believed that Napoleon would win. Napoleon was a brilliant general, but Wellington was also a skilled leader of his men, and he planned the defence of Waterloo very carefully.

The Prussians arrived at a crucial moment of the battle.

On the contrary, reinforcements did not arrive for Napoleon and the French. This allowed Wellington to counter attack and defeat Napoleon.

Lément-Auguste Andrieux - 1852 The Battle of Waterloo

Robert Alexander Hillingford, Wellington at Waterloo

Consequences The battle of Waterloo brought an end to decades of war in Europe. 30,000 French and 24,000 allied soldiers had been killed. The defeat of France made Britain more powerful and gave it the opportunity to consolidate and extend its empire.

Can you think of any other battles that changed the course of history in a significant way?

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TEST YOURSELF

1

Look again at exercise 5a on page 9. Give an example of these faults in human nature that are focused on in the story. a jealousy b dishonesty c pride d snobbery e indifference f ignorance g vanity

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2 At the beginning of the story Becky decides to marry Joseph.

Why was it so important at that time for a woman to get married?

3 According to the author there are two kinds of people, those that live in Vanity Fair, and those that do not. Which characters in the story live in Vanity Fair, and which do not?

4 The book closes with the line, ‘Oh Vanity Fair! Who is really happy in this world? How many of us are truly satisfied?’ Which characters in the book are truly satisfied at the end of the story?

5 ‘Let us close the box and put the puppets back in, for our play is played out,’ is the very last line of the story. How much do you think the characters are influenced by destiny and how much depends on free will?

6 Thackeray said that there are no heroes in his story. Do you agree with him? Is Dobbin a hero, and is Amelia a heroine?

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SYLLABUS Level C1 This reader contains the items listed below, as well as those listed in Levels A1, A2, B1 and B2

YOUNG ADULT

READERS

STAGE 1

Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

STAGE 2

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Bram Stoker, Dracula William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat

STAGE 3

Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray William Shakespeare, Macbeth Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence

STAGE 4

James Joyce, Dubliners Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Henry James, The Turn of the Screw Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights Edgar Allan Poe, Stories of Mystery and Suspense Charles and Mary Lamb, Tales from Shakespeare Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Anthony Hope, The Prisoner of Zenda Herman Melville, Moby Dick

STAGE 5

Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway Francis Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair - A Novel without a Hero

STAGE 6

Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness J. Borsbey & R. Swan, Editors, A Collection of First World War Poetry Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

YOUNG ADULT

READERS LIGHT

Edgar Allan Poe, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket Natsume Soseki, Botchan