Vanity Fair was first published in 1848, and tells the story of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley. Thackeray sets a scene of his novel at the Duchess of Richmond's ball, which took place in Brussels on 15 June 1815.  It was here that Wellington heard of Napoleon's advance.  Amelia's husband, George Osborne, is one of those at the ball who is called to battle: 'Away went George, his nerves quivering with excitement at the news so long looked for, so sudden when it came. What were love and intrigue now?'