Chapter 21 Summary

While George is reconciling with Amelia, his family is conspiring for him to marry Miss Swartz, and quickly before landed gentry come and sweep her up. John Osborne envisions George leaving the military and joining parliament after his marriage to such a wealthy woman. George tries to put him off by reminding him of his military obligations. John Osborne says George should resign and stay home a rich man, which George reminds him would equate the Osborne name with cowardice.

Miss Swartz continues to visit the Osborne house regularly. She is quite dull but fabulously wealthy, so the Osborne girls like visiting with her. One afternoon, Miss Swartz is looking through some piano music and notices it used to belong to Amelia. She asks after her, and the Osborne girls tell Miss Swartz that the Sedley family has become bankrupt. George speaks up...