The Adventures of Roderick Random

Journey to Canterbury and Meeting Old Friend Morgan

Roderick arrives in Canterbury in the morning and spots a pharmacy with his old messmate Mr. Morgan’s name above the door, confirming Morgan has settled there after marrying an apothecary’s widow and inheriting £3,000. He visits Morgan’s shop while Morgan is working, and after Morgan initially fails to recognize him, the pair reunite joyfully. Morgan updates Roderick on his life since they parted in the West Indies, and Roderick tells him briefly that his circumstances are now prosperous. They exchange warm goodbyes after breakfast, and Roderick takes post-horses to London that night.

Arrival in London and Visit to Narcissa

Roderick arrives in London and reunites with Don Rodrigo, to whom he relays all he learned about Narcissa’s situation. After resting, he travels the next morning to Narcissa’s lodgings, first speaking with her companion Miss Williams, who is overjoyed to see him. Narcissa soon comes downstairs, and the pair share an ecstatic reunion after 18 months apart, confirming their love for each other remains unchanged. Roderick gives her a valuable diamond and amethyst necklace, and promises to return that afternoon with Don Rodrigo.

Introduction of Father to Narcissa

Roderick returns home to find Don Rodrigo has transferred a deed to him making him the owner of £15,000, in addition to the £3,000 he has earned from his own trading ventures. After dinner, Don Rodrigo accompanies Roderick to Narcissa’s lodgings, where he is immediately charmed by her beauty and good sense, and approves wholeheartedly of Roderick’s intention to marry her.

Decision to Seek Narcissa’s Brother’s Marriage Consent

Don Rodrigo and Roderick resolve that Don Rodrigo will write to Narcissa’s brother, the squire, to formally request his consent to the marriage, offering a generous settlement to secure Narcissa’s future. They agree that if the squire refuses their proposal, they will move forward with the marriage regardless of his objections.

CHAPTER LXVIII

This chapter chronicles the events leading up to and immediately following the narrator’s marriage to Narcissa: his father gives Narcissa a generous monetary gift, a letter is sent to her brother, the narrator reconnects with old acquaintances including Banter, Narcissa’s brother refuses to consent to the union, the narrator’s uncle approves the match and agrees to officiate as her father at the wedding, the couple is married in a private ceremony, they attend a play where they encounter the squire and his wife, and after malicious rumours are spread about them, their previously dismissive acquaintances abruptly begin courting their favour.

Father’s Present to Narcissa

The narrator’s father presents Narcissa with a £500 bank note as a formal paternal gift, acknowledging her as his future daughter. Narcissa accepts the offer graciously, noting she already views her interests as inseparably linked to the narrator’s, which greatly pleases the father.

Letter Dispatched to Her Brother

Per the narrator’s request, an express letter is dispatched to Narcissa’s brother in Sussex to inform him of the couple’s upcoming marriage plans.

Among Acquaintances

While spending most of his time with Narcissa, the narrator makes time to visit his former acquaintances, who are astonished by the improved grandeur of his circumstances.

Banter’s Behaviour

Banter is particularly confounded by the narrator’s sudden good fortune, and only understands the cause after the narrator shares the full story of his recent voyage with him. Banter professes satisfaction at the news, and the narrator invites him to dinner. The narrator’s father is so pleased with Banter’s conversation that he offers to lend him money to purchase a military commission. Banter instead requests a small loan of ten guineas, claiming he is on the verge of being reconciled with a wealthy uncle who intends to make him his heir, and declines the army offer, stating he values his independence too highly to serve under men he considers dishonourable. The narrator gives him twenty guineas instead, and takes his note for the debt.

Squire Refuses Consent

The narrator receives a hostile letter from Narcissa’s brother, Squire Orson Topehall, who refuses to consent to the marriage, threatens to disinherit Narcissa if she marries without his approval, dismisses the narrator’s father’s settlement as a sham, and declares the narrator will never be accepted into their family. The narrator is unbothered by the letter, seeing it as a chance to demonstrate his disinterested love for Narcissa.