The chapter opens with Amelia and Becky surprising Joseph with their beauty. He awkwardly tries to light a fire in the middle of June to avoid looking at the beautiful girls. Amelia's father comes in and they proceed to tease Joseph for his pompous clothing. Joseph begrudgingly stays for dinner and escorts Becky downstairs.
Becky fantasizes about a life of luxury as Joseph's wife, imagining a fabulous life in India, where Joseph is stationed with the East India Company's Civil Service. Joseph has temporarily returned to London to heal from a liver condition. He is large, vain and good-natured, but he is shy around women and finds his life in India quite lonely. Joseph overhears Becky tell Amelia she thinks he is handsome.
Becky vows to pretend interest in all things Indian while at dinner......
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