Vanity Fair

Miss Sharp Begins to Make Friends

In darkest Hampshire, Becky spends her days as governess to Sir Pitt Crawley’s neglected daughters. Her employer's handsome youngest son, Rawdon, does his best to interest Becky in a flirtation. But Becky's ambition is to get into her employer's good books, and soon she is promoted to the position of Sir Pitt's indispensable secretary.

A Quarrel About an Heiress

Becky lives with rich Aunt Matilda, and her future is looking bright. But as war clouds gather, everyone's fortunes take a tumble.

In Which Becky Joins Her Regiment

When George refuses to apologise for his marriage to Amelia, his father sends him a letter, cutting him off from the family and denying him his inheritance. All the friends set sail for Belgium, where Becky makes use of every opportunity to advance in society.

In Which Battles Are Won and Lost

The Napoleonic Wars enter their decisive moment as the battle of Waterloo gets underway, with George fighting on the front line. Becky has come to the conclusion that war is not such a bad thing, since it presents plenty of opportunities for money to be made.

In Which a Painter's Daughter Meets a King

Becky works out how to live well on nothing a year, but flies too high as she joins the dizzy ranks of lords, ladies and kings.