Chapter 17: In Which Rebecca's Husband Appears for a Short Time

Amelia Sedley

Gentle, unassuming, and sharp-sighted regarding matters of love. She visits Park Lane, is admired by Miss Crawley, and realizes Rebecca's secret (the secret marriage) before anyone else.

Rebecca Crawley

Cunning, emotionally manipulative, ambitious, and resilient. She refuses Sir Pitt's marriage proposal by revealing she is already married, then manipulates Miss Crawley into promising her eternal affection before writing a secret letter to Rawdon.

Miss Pinkerton

Pompous and formal headmistress. She exchanges letters with Mrs. Bute Crawley, providing a disparaging account of Rebecca's parentage.

Sambo

Honest and smiling. He receives the Park Lane carriage at Russell Square.

Miss Swartz

A wealthy, emotional, and generous parlour-boarder from St. Kitt's. She is devastated by Amelia's departure, falling into a fit of hysterical tears that requires medical attention.

Mrs. Sedley

Easy-going and uninquisitive; she leads a typical life of a wealthy London lady. She conducts her daily routine of shopping and visits, largely ignoring the intensity of Amelia's romantic obsession.

Miss Briggs

Sentimental, observant, and subservient. She spies on Sir Pitt's proposal through a keyhole and later discusses the 'previous attachment' with Miss Crawley, reminiscing about her own past love.

Joseph Sedley

Currently depressed and facing financial ruin due to bad investments and the war. He is seen leaving the bank looking dismal, a sign of his failing business affairs.

George Osborne, Junior (the baby)

Vain, dandified, and socially ambitious; he is easily 'routed' in verbal sparring. He dines at Park Lane, attempts to patronize Rebecca, and is humiliated by her sharp wit. He warns Rawdon to be on guard against her.

Sir Pitt Crawley

Vulgar, eccentric, and surprisingly good-humored when faced with Rebecca's refusal. He proposes to Rebecca, is shocked to learn she is married, but ultimately takes the rejection with a laugh and offers to remain her friend.

Captain William Dobbin

Loyal, protective, and morally upright. He acts as George's conscience and financial safety net. He accidentally reveals George's engagement to the mess-room, defends Amelia's honor against Cackle's gossip, and lends George money for his trip to London.

Lady Crawley

Feeble and lonely; she 'sold her heart' to marry Sir Pitt. She dies in the country, neglected by everyone except the younger Pitt Crawley.

Lady Southdown

Sentimental, easily manipulated, and fond of social intrigue and French novels. She is astonished by Rebecca's refusal of Sir Pitt and promises to support Rebecca's 'secret attachment,' unaware that the man is her own nephew.

Mr. Horrocks

The butler who observes the family's scandals. He discusses Rawdon and Rebecca's behavior with Sir Pitt.

Betsy Horrocks

A servant who is overdressed and shows open disdain for Rebecca. She attends family prayers and gives Rebecca a scornful look.

Reverend Bute Crawley

A tall, stately, popular man who loves boxing, horse-racing, and good dinners; he is perpetually in debt and resentful of his brother. He expresses his deep disdain for his nephew Rawdon and his brother Sir Pitt while obsessing over his sister Matilda's future legacy.

Rawdon Crawley

A military officer with a penchant for gambling and racing; deeply loved by his aunt. He is revealed to be Rebecca's secret husband and the recipient of her letter addressed to 'Miss Eliza Styles.'

Lady Jane (Sir Pitt's wife)

The woman to whom Pitt Crawley is attached. Mentioned as the reason Pitt Crawley's interest in Rebecca is only 'friendly'.

Mrs. Bute Crawley

Scheming and interested in the family inheritance. She is the recipient of a gossip-filled letter from Firkin regarding Sir Pitt's proposal.

Miss Maria Osborne

Gossip-prone and observant. She spies on the proposal with Briggs and immediately writes to Mrs. Bute Crawley to report the scandal.

Miss Wirt

Observant and cautious. Speculates that Mr. Osborne's bad mood is due to the falling funds.

Frederick Bullock

A young banker from a reputable firm; he is considered a 'respectable' match due to his wealth. He dances with Amelia at a party, causing a stir of jealousy and fake delight among the Osborne sisters.

Mrs. Major O'Dowd

Talkative and fond of gossip and whiskey-toddy. She spreads the news of George's engagement to her sister and the rest of the regiment.

Lieutenant Stubble

Young officer who views George as an 'Apollo'. Participates in the mess-room gossip regarding George's love life.

Mr. Bowls

Confidential and observant; he listens at keyholes and takes out his frustrations on subordinates. He manages the household at Park Lane and observes the secret interviews between Rebecca and the Crawley men.

Manager of the Performance

Self-aware and critical; he views himself as a fellow sinner among his audience. He interrupts the narrative to explain his authorial philosophy and his intent to punish his 'villainous' characters.

Tom Fool

A weary performer and family man who works as a tumbler. He is seen washing off his face paint and eating dinner with his family behind the scenes.

Jack Puddings

A child performer belonging to a family of tumblers. He sits behind the canvas with Tom Fool during dinner.

Becky Puppet

Described as uncommonly flexible in the joints and lively on the wire. Mentioned by the Manager as one of the lead puppets in the upcoming show.

Amelia Doll

Carved and dressed with great care, though she has a smaller circle of admirers than Becky. Mentioned by the Manager as a carefully crafted figure in the performance.

Wicked Nobleman

A richly dressed figure representing high-status villainy. Mentioned as a character who will be taken away by Old Nick at the end of the play.

Old Nick

A figure representing the devil or a collector of souls. Mentioned as the one who will fetch away the Wicked Nobleman.

Miss Jemima Pinkerton

Good-humored, foolishly kind, and generous. She is mentioned as the target of Rebecca's mockery despite her previous kindness.

Laura Martin

A young orphan student who is deeply attached to Amelia. She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in her letters.

Miss Saltire

A high-born but somewhat shabby and haughty student. She asks Amelia to send letters to her via her grandfather to save on postage.

Doctor Johnson

A famous historical figure whose past visit to the school is the source of Miss Pinkerton's prestige. Mentioned as the author of the dictionary and the school's patron spirit.

Mr. Sharp

A clever, dissolute artist, prone to drunkenness and debt. Described in backstory as the man who taught Rebecca her wit and social survival skills before dying of delirium tremens.

Rebecca's Mother

A French opera dancer of humble origins. Mentioned as the source of Rebecca's French fluency and the subject of Rebecca's lies about noble Gascon ancestry.

Reverend Mr. Crisp

Infatuated and easily led. Mentioned in a backstory regarding a scandalous intercepted note he sent to Rebecca.

Bonamy

A member of the service in India. Mentioned by Joseph as an excuse to leave the house and avoid the ladies.

Mulligatawney

A magistrate at Budgebudge and a friend of Joseph. Mentioned in Joseph's story about a past romantic pursuit in India.

Mrs. Blenkinsop

Observant and protective of the family; she harbors a deep distrust of governesses. She gossips about the potential marriage and later informs Amelia of Rebecca's suspicious behavior, such as reading private letters.

Dr. Gollop

The family apothecary. Mentioned as attending to Joseph's severe hangover.

Reginald Cuff

A dashing, athletic, and arrogant school bully who is talented in Latin and French but uses his status to tyrannize younger boys. He bullies George Osborne and is subsequently defeated by Dobbin in a thirteen-round boxing match, later showing magnanimity by taking the blame.

Dr. Swishtail

The headmaster of the academy, described as somewhat intimidated by his top students. He presides over the school and awards Dobbin a prize-book for his academic progress.

Lady Dobbin

Socially active wife of the Alderman. Mentioned by Mrs. Sedley as being at Highbury with her daughters.

Mr. Brush

Solemn, correct, and grave; possesses the 'gravity of an undertaker.' He attends to the hungover Joseph and reports his master's wild behavior to George Osborne.

Pinner

Observant servant. Mentioned by Mrs. Blenkinsop as having seen Rebecca snooping through drawers.

Simpson

A well-known, simple-minded figure at Vauxhall. Mentioned as the presiding spirit of Vauxhall Gardens.

Mrs. Salmon

A singer. Mentioned as performing a cantata at the gardens.

Mrs. Tinker

Sullen, blunt, and accustomed to the Baronet's miserly ways; she acts as a servant and temporary companion to Sir Pitt. She fetches tobacco for Sir Pitt, shares a meal with him, and chaperones Rebecca during her night in London.

Walpole Crawley

A 'jolly fellow' and former baronet who was fined for peculation. Mentioned as the ancestor whose legal troubles and extravagance led to the family's current financial embarrassment.

Miss Rose Crawley

Fond of books and light literature; more studious than her sister. She reads French and English novels with Rebecca, often hiding the scandalous nature of the books from her brother.

Miss Violet Crawley

Rude, boisterous, and adventurous; a tomboy who enjoys riding colts and robbing nests. She is managed by Rebecca through a system of bribes and kept secrets regarding her various 'peccadilloes'.

Young Cantab

A student from Cambridge who is friendly and enjoys mocking Sir Pitt. He offers Rebecca his coat during the rain and takes over driving the coach to spite Sir Pitt.

Mr. Hodson

Sir Pitt's hind or farm manager. He rides in the carriage with Sir Pitt, discusses farm business, and whips two local boys for gathering sticks.

Peter Butt

A young man who turned to smuggling and poaching after being rejected by Rose Dawson. Mentioned as the man Rose gave up to marry Sir Pitt.

Lord Binkie

A nobleman and diplomat; grandfather and patron to Pitt Crawley. Mentioned as the person who introduced Pitt to public life and served as his employer.

Mr. Glauber

A country surgeon who is easily rebuffed. He proposes marriage to Rebecca and is promptly rejected.

Sir Huddleston Fuddleston

A local baronet who wheezes at dinner. He attends the dinner parties at the Hall and is slighted by Miss Crawley in favor of Rebecca.

Miss Tuffin

An eighteen-year-old scholar proficient in many languages including Syriac. Recommended by Miss Pinkerton as a potential governess for Lady Fuddleston.

Miss Letitia Hawky

A twenty-nine-year-old scholar with red hair and a pitted face. Recommended by Miss Pinkerton as a less 'objectionable' (less attractive) governess option.

Flethers

Rawdon's servant. Mentioned as causing trouble in the housekeeper's room.

Captain Cannon

A military man and social companion of George Osborne. Mentioned as the person George is playing billiards with while Amelia waits for him.

Ensign Spooney

Young officer who admires George's reputation. Speculates about George's secret female correspondent in the mess-room.

Cackle

Gossip-monger. Insults the reputation of George's correspondent, prompting Dobbin's outburst.

Mr. Chopper

Experienced and knowledgeable about the City's financial state. Provides George with money and advises Mr. Osborne on the poor state of Sedley's affairs.

Mr. Hicks

Formal and obedient. Serves the disastrous dinner at the Osborne household.

Mr. Quill

Benevolent-looking but cynical. Winks at his colleague regarding Mr. Sedley's financial 'no go' status.

Mr. Driver

Cynical clerk. Confirms the dire financial status of Mr. Sedley to Mr. Quill.

the writing-master

A man with yellow hair and illegible handwriting who died years ago. Mentioned as the object of Miss Briggs's long-lost affection.

Miss Toady

Obsequious and socially calculating. Mentioned by the narrator as an example of the social climbing found in Vanity Fair.

Mrs. Briefless

Poor but of good family. Mentioned as the target of Miss Toady's flattery due to her grandfather's health.

Russell Square

The large, gloomy, and respectable residence of Mr. Osborne, filled with expensive plate and mournful echoes.

Great Gaunt Street

A gloomy London street characterized by tall houses with hatchments, where death seems to reign perpetual.

Queen's Crawley

The family estate of the Crawleys, featuring an old library filled with 18th-century literature and extensive grounds including shrubberies and farms.

Mudbury

A location four miles from Queen's Crawley where the family carriage meets the stagecoach.

Pumpernickel

A small German duchy located in a happy valley along the Pump River, known for its Court, mineral springs, and theatre.

Park Lane

Miss Crawley's London residence, currently darkened and silenced by Mrs. Bute's orders.

Vanity Fair

Chiswick Mall

Miss Pinkerton's Academy

Soho

Boggley Wollah

Vauxhall

Dr. Swishtail’s Academy

Thames Street

Vauxhall Gardens

Joseph Sedley's Lodgings

The Trafalgar Coach

Leakington

The Rectory

Queen's Crawley (The Hall)

The Osborne House

Cheltenham

Chatham Barracks

Mr. Osborne's House

Hulker & Bullock's Bank

Old Slaughters'