George Sedley Osborne, John Sedley's godson, has been close to the Sedley family all his life. He and Joseph have gone to school together. Old Osborne has commanded him to marry Amelia, and this plan has been understood for years.
George Osborne belongs to Vanity Fair. As a boy he has been ashamed of William Dobbin, his protector at school, because he feels Dobbin is of a lower social status. His sisters convince him he is one of the most deserving characters in the British Army, and "he gave himself up to be loved with a great deal of easy resignation."
George loves Amelia after his fashion, but he loves himself more; and often when his sisters think he is with Amelia, he is gambling, drinking or going to the theater. Popular with the men in the regiment because of his outstanding sportsmanship, he equally charms the ladies:
His whiskers had made an impression upon her . . . George had an air at once swaggering and melancholy, languid and fierce. He looked like a man who had passions, secrets, and private harrowing griefs and adventures. His voice was rich and deep. He would say it was a warm evening, or ask his partner to take an ice, with a tone as sad and confidential as if he were breaking her mother's death to her, or preluding a declaration of love. He trampled over all the young bucks of his father's circle, and was the hero among those third-rate men.
Having a faithful and generous friend in William Dobbin, George does not appreciate him. Furious with Dobbin for telling the regiment about Amelia, George soon forgets his anger, borrows money from Dobbin to buy Amelia a gift, but purchases a pin for himself.
