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In Which Mr. Osborne Takes Down the Family Bible So having prepared the sisters, Dobbin hastened away to the City to perform the rest and more difficult part of the task which he had undertaken. The idea of facing old Osborne rendered him not a little nervous, and more than once he thought of leaving the young ladies to communicate the secret, which, as he was aware, they could not long retain. But he had promised to report to George upon the manner in which the elder Osborne bore the intelligence; so going into the City to the paternal counting-house in Thames Street, he despatched thence a note to Mr. Osborne begging for a half-hours conversation relative to the affairs of his son George. Dobbins messenger returned from Mr. Osbornes house of business, with the compliments of the latter, who would be very happy to see the Captain immediately, and away accordingly Dobbin went to confront him. The Captain, with a half-guilty secret to confess, and with the prospect of a painful and stormy interview before him, entered Mr. Osbornes offices with a most dismal countenance and abashed gait, and, passing through the outer room where Mr. Chopper presided, was greeted by that functionary from his desk with a waggish air which farther discomfited him. Mr. Chopper winked and nodded and pointed his pen towards his patrons door, and said, Youll find the governor all right, with the most provoking good humour. Osborne rose too, and shook him heartily by the hand, and said, How do, my dear boy? with a cordiality that made poor Georges ambassador feel doubly guilty. His hand lay as if dead in the old gentlemans grasp. He felt that he, Dobbin, was more or less the cause of all that had happened. It was he had brought back George to Amelia: it was he had applauded, encouraged, transacted almost the marriage which he was come to reveal to Georges father: and the latter was receiving him with smiles of welcome; patting him on the shoulder, and calling him Dobbin, my dear boy. The envoy had indeed good reason to hang his head. Osborne fully believed that Dobbin had come to announce his sons surrender. Mr. Chopper and his principal were talking over the matter between George and his father, at the very moment when Dobbins messenger arrived. Both agreed that George was sending in his submission. Both had been expecting it for some daysand Lord! Chopper, what a marriage well have! Mr. Osborne said to his clerk, snapping his big fingers, and jingling all the guineas and shillings in his great pockets as he eyed his subordinate with a look of triumph. With similar operations conducted in both pockets, and a knowing jolly air, Osborne from his chair regarded Dobbin seated blank and silent opposite to him. What a bumpkin he is for a Captain in the army, old Osborne thought. I wonder George hasnt taught him better manners. At last Dobbin summoned courage to begin. Sir, said he, Ive brought you some very grave news. I have been at the Horse Guards this morning, and theres no doubt that our regiment will be ordered abroad, and on its way to Belgium before the week is over. And you know, sir, that we shant be home again before a tussle which may be fatal to many of us. Osborne looked grave. My s , the regiment will do its duty, sir, I daresay, he said. The French are very strong, sir, Dobbin went on. The Russians and Austrians will be a long time before they can bring their troops down. We shall have the first of the fight, sir; and depend on it Boney will take care that it shall be a hard one. What are you driving at, Dobbin? his interlocutor said, uneasy and with a scowl. I suppose no Britons afraid of any d Frenchman, hey? I only mean, that before we go, and considering the great and certain risk that hangs over every one of us if there are any differences between you and Georgeit would be as well, sir, thatthat you should shake hands: wouldnt it? Should anything happen to him, I think you would never forgive yourself if you hadnt parted in charity. |
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