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Chapter XXV
In Which All the Principal
Personages Think Fit
to Leave Brighton
Conducted to the ladies, at the Ship Inn, Dobbin as-
sumed a jovial and rattling manner, which proved that this
young officer was becoming a more consummate hypocrite
every day of his life. He was trying to hide his own private
feelings, first upon seeing Mrs. George Osborne in her new
condition, and secondly to mask the apprehensions he en-
tertained as to the effect which the dismal news brought
down by him would certainly have upon her.
‘It is my opinion, George,’ he said, ‘that the French Em-
peror will be upon us, horse and foot, before three weeks
are over, and will give the Duke such a dance as shall make
the Peninsula appear mere child’s play. But you need not
say that to Mrs. Osborne, you know. There mayn’t be any
fighting on our side after all, and our business in Belgium
may turn out to be a mere military occupation. Many per-
sons think so; and Brussels is full of fine people and ladies of
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