be reconciled, before she claimed her place in society. So she lived at Brompton, and meanwhile saw
no one, or only those few of her husbands male companions who were admitted into her little dining-
room. These were all charmed with her. The little dinners, the laughing and chatting, the music afterwards,
delighted all who participated in these enjoyments. Major Martingale never thought about asking to see
the marriage licence, Captain Cinqbars was perfectly enchanted with her skill in making punch. And
young Lieutenant Spatterdash (who was fond of piquet, and whom Crawley would often invite) was evidently
and quickly smitten by Mrs. Crawley; but her own circumspection and modesty never forsook her for
a moment, and Crawleys reputation as a fire-eating and jealous warrior was a further and complete
defence to his little wife. There are gentlemen of very good blood and fashion in this city, who never
have entered a ladys drawing- room; so that though Rawdon Crawleys marriage might be talked about
in his county, where, of course, Mrs. Bute had spread the news, in London it was doubted, or not heeded,
or not talked about at all. He lived comfortably on credit. He had a large capital of debts, which laid
out judiciously, will carry a man along for many years, and on which certain men about town contrive
to live a hundred times better than even men with ready money can do. Indeed who is there that walks
London streets, but can point out a half-dozen of men riding by him splendidly, while he is on foot, courted
by fashion, bowed into their carriages by tradesmen, denying themselves nothing, and living on who
knows what? We see Jack Thriftless prancing in the park, or darting in his brougham down Pall Mall: we
eat his dinners served on his miraculous plate. How did this begin, we say, or where will it end? My
dear fellow, I heard Jack once say, I owe money in every capital in Europe. The end must come some
day, but in the meantime Jack thrives as much as ever; people are glad enough to shake him by the
hand, ignore the little dark stories that are whispered every now and then against him, and pronounce
him a good-natured, jovial, reckless fellow. Truth obliges us to confess that Rebecca had married a
gentleman of this order. Everything was plentiful in his house but ready money, of which their ménage
pretty early felt the want; and reading the Gazette one day, and coming upon the announcement of Lieutenant
G. Osborne to be Captain by purchase, vice Smith, who exchanges, Rawdon uttered that sentiment
regarding Amelias lover, which ended in the visit to Russell Square. When Rawdon and his wife wished
to communicate with Captain Dobbin at the sale, and to know particulars of the catastrophe which had
befallen Rebeccas old acquaintances, the Captain had vanished; and such information as they got was
from a stray porter or broker at the auction. Look at them with their hooked beaks, Becky said, getting
into the buggy, her picture under her arm, in great glee. Theyre like vultures after a battle. Dont know.
Never was in action, my dear. Ask Martingale; he was in Spain, aide-de-camp to General Blazes. He
was a very kind old man, Mr. Sedley, Rebecca said; Im really sorry hes gone wrong. O stockbrokersbankruptsused
to it, you know, Rawdon replied, cutting a fly off the horses ear. I wish we could
have afforded some of the plate, Rawdon, the wife continued sentimentally. Five-and- twenty guineas
was monstrously dear for that little piano. We chose it at Broadwoods for Amelia, when she came from
school. It only cost five-and-thirty then. What-d-ye-callemOsborne, will cry off now, I suppose,
since the family is smashed. How cut up your pretty little friend will be; hey, Becky? I daresay shell
recover it, Becky said with a smile and they drove on and talked about something else.