Chapter 8: Private and Confidential

Amelia Sedley

The kind and gentle daughter of the Sedleys. She is deeply in love with George Osborne. She is generous to a fault, giving Rebecca many of her own possessions upon her departure. In this chapter, she is the recipient of Rebecca's letter and is mentioned as having attended a ball at the Perkins's.

Rebecca Sharp

A sharp-eyed and calculating young woman, daughter of an artist and a French opera-girl. She is observant, cynical, and quickly adapts to her surroundings. In this chapter, she writes a detailed letter to Amelia, mocking her new employers while pretending to be a "friendless and alone" governess.

Sambo

A black servant of the Sedley family. He is involved in the household gossip and serves as a messenger.

John Sedley

Amelia's father, a wealthy merchant and stockbroker. He is generous to Rebecca upon her departure, giving her a purse of guineas.

Mrs. Sedley

Amelia's mother. She initially disapproves of Joseph marrying an artist's daughter but is eventually swayed by Amelia and the housekeeper's arguments. She is embarrassed by the situation with Rebecca at the end.

Miss Briggs

A student at the academy.

Joseph Sedley

Amelia's brother, a stout and vain official from India (the Collector of Boggley Wollah). He is described by his father as vain, selfish, lazy, and effeminate. He is prone to drinking heavily and making a spectacle of himself, as seen at Vauxhall where he consumes a bowl of rack punch and becomes rowdy and maudlin. He flees to Cheltenham to avoid the embarrassment of his behavior and the potential of a marriage proposal.

Sir Pitt Crawley

The second Baronet of his name, Member of Parliament for the borough of Queen's Crawley. He is notoriously miserly, vulgar, and litigious. He dresses shabbily, speaks in a coarse accent, and is frequently tipsy. He is a proprietor of the coach line and treats his employees and family with equal coarseness.

George Osborne

A popular and somewhat vain young man, godson of John Sedley and an officer in the army. He is proud of his appearance and somewhat patronizing toward his loyal friend Dobbin. He is class-conscious and opposes the idea of his future brother-in-law marrying a governess like Rebecca Sharp. He is free-handed with money but ruthless in his mockery of others.

William Dobbin

The son of a London grocer who became a captain in the army. He is tall, ungainly, and selfless. He remains devotedly attached to George Osborne and is protective of Amelia. He is described as having a fatherly pleasure in seeing Amelia happy and is willing to perform menial tasks, like carrying shawls, for his friends.

Pitt Crawley

The eldest son of Sir Pitt Crawley. He is described as pompous, pale, thin, and ugly, with hay-colored whiskers. He is deeply religious in a formal, joyless way, frequently reading sermons and pamphlets. He is much more refined and "stiff" than his vulgar father.

Rawdon Crawley

The second son of Sir Pitt Crawley, an officer in the army.

Miss Pinkerton

The majestic headmistress of the academy at Chiswick.

Miss Jemima Pinkerton

The soft-hearted and nervous sister of Miss Pinkerton. She was kind to Rebecca, giving her gifts and food, though Rebecca mocked her in return by making a doll in her likeness.

Miss Swartz

A rich, woolly-haired mulatto student from St. Kitt's and a parlour-boarder at the academy. She is very emotional and prone to hysterics.

Miss Saltire

A student at the academy and granddaughter of the Earl of Dexter. She is described as "high and mighty" and somewhat shabby.

Laura Martin

A young orphan student at the academy who is very attached to Amelia.

The fat coachman

A fat man in a three-cornered hat and wig who drives the Sedley family coach.

The dancing-master

A teacher who arrives for a lesson just as the girls are leaving.

The young officer of the Life Guards

A young officer who notices Amelia as the carriage passes.

Mrs. Blenkinsop

The housekeeper for the Sedley family. She is observant of the household's social dynamics and defends the idea of Joseph marrying Rebecca by citing her own humble beginnings. However, she later expresses distrust of Rebecca.

Reginald Cuff

The aristocratic and accomplished bully of Dr. Swishtail’s academy. He was wealthy, skilled in Latin and French, and ruled the school until he was defeated in a fair fight by William Dobbin. Despite his bullying, he showed magnanimity by taking the blame for the fight to save Dobbin from a flogging.

Sir William Dobbin

William Dobbin's father. Originally a grocer in Thames Street, he became a wealthy Alderman, a Colonel of the City Light Horse, and was eventually knighted.

The Misses Dobbin

The daughters of Sir William Dobbin, described by Mrs. Sedley as ungraceful.

Lord Wellington

The British commander in the Napoleonic Wars.

The cook

A servant in the Sedley household who is in love with Sambo.

Mr. Brush

Joseph Sedley's valet. He is described as solemn, correct, and grave, resembling an undertaker.

Simpson

The Master of Ceremonies at Vauxhall Gardens.

Mrs. Tinker

A surly and solemn charwoman at Sir Pitt Crawley's London house. She is described as "faithful" but is blunt about Sir Pitt's miserly nature. She shares a bed with Rebecca on her first night.

John the groom

A groom in the Sedley family service. He is protective of the other servants' interests and has a low opinion of Rebecca Sharp.

The Reverend Bute Crawley

The brother of Sir Pitt Crawley and rector of Crawley-cum-Snailby. Sir Pitt refers to him as "Buty" and "the Beast."

The young man from Cambridge

A young man from Cambridge who travels on the same coach as Rebecca. He is kind to her, offering his coat in the rain, and mocks Sir Pitt's stinginess.

Joe

An ostler at the coach office who recognizes Sir Pitt.

The milk-boy

A boy who rings the doorbell for John the groom.

Lady Crawley

The second wife of Sir Pitt Crawley and mother of his two daughters. She was an ironmonger's daughter. She is described as pale, meagre, high-shouldered, and perpetually weeping for her lost beauty. She is timid and dominated by her husband and stepson.

Horrocks

The butler at Queen's Crawley. He is a grave man who seems to be a confidant and drinking companion to Sir Pitt. He manages the household with a mixture of formal service and cynical commentary.

Rose Crawley

The eldest daughter of Sir Pitt and the second Lady Crawley. She is about ten years old and described by Rebecca as a "thin insignificant little chit."

Violet Crawley

The younger daughter of Sir Pitt and the second Lady Crawley, aged eight. Like her sister, she is described as insignificant by Rebecca.

Mr. Hodson

Sir Pitt's hind (farm manager) from Mudbury.

Miss Horrocks

A servant in the Crawley household who is noted for being overdressed and looking at Rebecca with scorn during prayers.

The guard

The guard on the coach to Mudbury.

The little boys gathering sticks

Two young boys caught gathering sticks in the wood.

Gorer and Aroarer

Sir Pitt's bloodhounds. Gorer is a male who has "killed a man," and Aroarer (formerly Flora) is an old female.

Miss Pinkerton's Academy

A stately old brick house with a great iron gate and a brass plate, located on Chiswick Mall. It serves as an academy for young ladies.

• Amelia Sedley and Becky Sharp prepare to leave the school.
• Miss Pinkerton delivers a formal farewell to Amelia.
• Becky Sharp defies Miss Pinkerton in the drawing-room.
• The students and servants gather in the hall for a tearful goodbye.

Russell Square

The Sedley family home in London, the center of the chapter's social planning and the site of Rebecca's departure.

• Mentioned in Miss Pinkerton's letter as Becky's destination.
• The carriage arrives here at the end of the chapter, and Amelia welcomes Rebecca into her home.
• Rebecca meets Joseph Sedley for the first time.
• The family and Rebecca have a dinner featuring Indian curry and chilis.
• Rebecca sings at the piano while Joseph sneaks out to the theater.
• Rebecca charms the family and servants.
• Joseph and George visit.
• A thunderstorm keeps the young people at home while the parents go out to dinner.
• Rebecca and Joseph share a moment over a green silk purse.
• The characters gather for dinner before going to Vauxhall.
• Captain Dobbin arrives and meets the adult Amelia for the first time.
• The party prepares for Vauxhall.
• Amelia and Rebecca wait for Joseph's return.
• Rebecca receives Joseph's rejection letter and leaves the house.
• Amelia spends her time here dreaming of George and writing him letters.
• Captain Dobbin visits and finds Amelia alone and sad.
• Amelia dines with the Osborne family in a tense and gloomy atmosphere.
• Mr. Osborne tells George he will not allow the marriage unless Amelia's dowry is paid.
• Miss Crawley and Rebecca visit Amelia here in her carriage.
• Rebecca uses a visit here as an alibi for her secret wedding.
• John Sedley reveals the family's ruin to his wife here.
• The house is seized and the furniture sold.
• Mentioned as the home of the 'black-browed old tyrant' John Osborne.
• Mr. Osborne flatters Miss Swartz and bribes Mrs. Haggistoun.
• Miss Swartz discovers Amelia's name on a music book.
• George and his father have a violent confrontation over dinner regarding Amelia and Miss Swartz.
• Captain Dobbin visits the house to speak with Jane Osborne and reveal the secret of George's marriage.
• The family shares a silent, gloomy dinner after the news of the marriage.
• Mr. Osborne retires to his study to burn his will and alter the family Bible.
• Mr. Osborne receives George's final letter here.
• The family lives in seclusion following the news of Waterloo.
• Mr. Osborne and Jane live here in silence and tension.
• Jane Osborne meets her nephew Georgy here (or nearby) and later tells her father about him.
• Mr. Osborne meditates on his grandson and sends a proposal for adoption.
• Maria Bullock visits her father to ask for money.
• Mr. Osborne receives Amelia's letter and triumphs over her surrender.
• George's old room is reopened and prepared for his son.
• Georgy arrives to live with his grandfather.
• Georgy establishes himself as the heir and master of the house.
• Mr. Osborne hosts dinners where Georgy's precocious behavior is displayed.
• Georgy fights Master Toffy in the square.
• Mr. Osborne dies of a fit here.
• Amelia and Georgy visit the empty house before it is closed up.

Boggley Wollah

A location in India where Joseph Sedley was stationed.

• Described as the place where Joseph lived in isolation for eight years.
• Mentioned in Joseph's stories and reminiscences.

Dr. Swishtail's Academy

A famous school in Richmond where George Osborne and William Dobbin were educated.

• The legendary fight between Cuff and Dobbin takes place here.
• Dobbin wins a French prize-book and gains the respect of his peers.

Vauxhall Gardens

A famous public pleasure garden in London, known for its lights, music, and dark walks.

• The party prepares to leave for an evening of pleasure here.
• The two couples and Dobbin visit the gardens.
• Joseph gets drunk on rack punch.
• Joseph makes a public scene and nearly proposes to Rebecca.

Joseph's Lodgings

The location of Joseph Sedley's lodgings in London.

• Joseph is taken here by Dobbin after his drunken night.
• George and Dobbin visit the hungover Joseph.

Cheltenham

A fashionable spa town where Joseph flees to recover from his hangover and embarrassment.

• Joseph leaves for this location to escape Rebecca.
• Mentioned in an anecdote about social status.

Great Gaunt Street

A tall, gloomy house in a street characterized by death and hatchments. The interior is shrouded in covers and newspapers, reflecting the owner's miserliness and the family's absence.

• Rebecca arrives at the house and is met by Sir Pitt Crawley.
• Rebecca eats a frugal supper of tripe with Sir Pitt and Mrs. Tinker.
• Rebecca sleeps in the late Lady Crawley's gloomy bedroom.
• The hatchment for Lady Crawley is hung here.
• Sir Pitt studies Blue Books and prepares for his political career.
• Rebecca and Lady Jane maintain a tense social relationship here.
• Rawdon arrives in a dishevelled state to speak with his brother.
• Sir Pitt and Lady Jane perform morning prayers with their children and servants.
• Rawdon entrusts his son's future and Miss Briggs's money to Sir Pitt.
• Rebecca visits Sir Pitt to plead her innocence.
• Lady Jane confronts Rebecca and banishes her from the house.

Queen's Crawley

The ancestral country estate of the Crawley family in Hampshire. It is described as an "odious old-fashioned red brick mansion" with a mile-long avenue, gloomy halls, and many shut-up rooms.

• The history of the borough and the Crawley family tree are described.
• Rebecca arrives at the estate in a carriage and four.
• Sir Pitt orders the whipping of two boys for gathering sticks in the park.
• Rebecca is shown the house, including a room where Queen Elizabeth allegedly slept.
• The family has a meager dinner served on grand silver plate.
• The family engages in dismal evening prayers and sermon reading.
• The history of the family and the current state of the household are described.
• The younger Pitt Crawley attempts to reform the manners and discipline of the house.
• Rebecca establishes herself as a favorite of the entire family.
• Rebecca and Rose read French and English novels in the library.
• Sir Pitt and Rebecca walk the grounds discussing estate management.
• Lady Crawley dies here in isolation.
• Sir Pitt returns here and rages through Rebecca's former room.
• Sir Pitt scandalizes the neighborhood with his drinking and association with Miss Horrocks.
• Pitt Crawley forces his sisters to go to school.
• The Bute Crawleys discuss how to regain Miss Crawley's favor.
• Pitt and Lady Jane pay a disastrous visit to Sir Pitt.
• Sir Pitt fells trees and allows the gardens to go to waste.
• Miss Horrocks rules the household until Sir Pitt suffers a stroke.
• The Bute Crawley family arrives to take control and expel the Horrocks family.
• The elder Sir Pitt dies here.
• The new Sir Pitt takes control of the estate and its business affairs.
• Lady Southdown and Sir Pitt clash over family matters.
• Rawdon and Rebecca arrive for the funeral.
• The funeral of the elder Sir Pitt takes place.
• Rebecca charms Lady Jane and Lady Southdown.
• The family engages in country pursuits like shooting and visiting the poor.
• Sir Pitt hosts a grand Christmas gathering for the family.
• A public fox-hunt meet is held on the lawn.
• Little Rawdon goes rat-hunting in a barn on the estate.
• Little Rawdon spends his holidays here and learns to hunt.
• Sir Rawdon Crawley (the younger) resides here with Lady Jane.

Mudbury

The town where the Crawley carriage meets the coach and where Sir Pitt's estate begins.

• Rebecca and Sir Pitt transfer from the public coach to the family carriage.
• Mentioned as the home of the Dawson family.
• Miss Crawley and Rebecca drive here together.
• The fiddlers for the dance are brought from here.
• A boy is sent here to fetch the doctor for Sir Pitt.
• The death of Sir Pitt is a topic of conversation.
• The Crawleys change from the coach to a private carriage.
• Little Rawdon wakes up here to finish the journey to the Hall.

Chiswick Mall

The street in London where Miss Pinkerton's academy is located.

Chiswick

The location of Miss Pinkerton's academy for young ladies.

Soho

A district in London where Rebecca's father lived and where she grew up among artists.

Kensington turnpike

A turnpike passed by the carriage on the way to London.

Ramgunge

A location in India where a magistrate is stationed.

Billingsgate

A famous fish market in London.

Piazza Coffee-House_in_Covent_Garden

A coffee-house in London where Joseph often dines alone.

Vauxhall

A popular pleasure garden in London.

Highbury Barn

A place in London where the Sedleys go for a dinner party.

Covent Garden Market

A market in London where Joseph buys flowers.

Thames Street

The location of the Dobbin & Rudge grocery shop.

The Bedford

A hotel or coffee house where George Osborne met Dobbin.

The Trafalgar Coach

A public stage-coach that carries Rebecca and Sir Pitt from London toward Hampshire.

Leakington

A town on the way to Queen's Crawley where it began to rain and Rebecca was forced to move to the outside of the coach.

Sir Pitt Crawley's town house

Sir Pitt's town residence where Rebecca spent a miserable night with a charwoman before departing for the country.