George is an ex-soldier who runs a shooting gallery near the Chancery court and who keeps a manservant named Phil. George is a bachelor and has lived a rootless life. He has never settled anywhere since his time in the army and, although he has a family, he is too ashamed to contact them and tell them where he is. George left home very young to become a soldier and never returned. His mother is Mrs. Rouncewell, Sir Leicester Dedlock’s housekeeper at Chesney Wold, and his brother is Mr. Rouncewell, who became a successful ironmonger in the north of England. George is an honorable, gentle, and kindhearted man and does not intend to hurt his mother, who is heartbroken by his departure. He is so good and modest that he underestimates how much people care for him and believe that once he is gone, they will easily forget him. However, this assessment is clearly unfounded: many people care deeply for George, including his good friends Mr. Bagnet and Mrs. Bagnet, and George’s mother and brother welcome him warmly when he returns home at the novel’s end. George has no mind for business and has gone into debt to start his gallery, which has subsequently failed to make money. He borrowed this money from Mr. Smallweed, who charges him so much in interest that he pays the amount back several times. He has been given security on the debt by Mr. Bagnet and is deeply ashamed when Mr. Smallweed unexpectedly calls the money in. George is wrongfully accused of Mr. Tulkinghorn’s murder at the end of the novel, but he is released when the policeman, Mr. Bucket, discovers the real culprit is Mademoiselle Hortense. George is suspected at first because he has been blackmailed by Mr. Tulkinghorn: to save himself from debtor’s prison, George gave Mr. Tulkinghorn a letter from Captain Hawdon that revealed the Captain’s youthful affair with Lady Dedlock, which resulted in the birth of Esther Summerson.