Meeting Miss Williams, Narcissa’s Confidante
The next day, as the narrator goes to the Pump Room in hopes of news of Narcissa, he is met by a gentlewoman who exclaims at recognising him as Mr. Random. She proves to be Miss Williams, his old sweetheart and fellow sufferer from the London garret days, now decently attired. She reveals that she is at present unengaged, and they retire to his lodgings, where after an affectionate salutation she tells him she is happy in the service of a young lady, into whose family she was recommended by a former mistress now deceased. Miss Williams expresses a vehement desire to hear the vicissitudes of his life since they parted, and when he describes his situation in Sussex, she interrupts him with astonishment and begs him to continue—hinting at some surprising piece of information concerning Narcissa that the narrator already eagerly conjectures.
CAPÍTULO LV.
Chapter LV brings the protagonist, Roderick Random, into direct contact with Miss Williams, Narcissa’s trusted confidante. Through her he learns that Narcissa still loves him, receives vital intelligence about the death of his rival Sir Timothy, learns of his aunt’s ill-advised marriage, and confides the whole affair in his loyal companion Strap.
Narcissa’s Secret Affection
Miss Williams reveals that her mistress is none other than the charming Narcissa, who has long trusted her with her private feelings. Narcissa has repeatedly spoken with admiration of “John Brown” (Roderick) and openly acknowledged a tender regard for his flame. She recounts that Narcissa, upon seeing Roderick at the ball in a transformed and befitting character, recognized him only because his image was engraved on her heart. Reading the language of his eyes, she assured herself that his passion for her continued and that he was unengaged. So impatient was she to learn his name and present circumstances that she sent Miss Williams abroad that very morning expressly to discover them. Roderick, overwhelmed by the flood of joy, acts with such extravagant sincerity that Miss Williams is fully convinced of his devotion.
Warnings of Decorum
When Roderick eagerly asks to be led immediately to Narcissa, Miss Williams restrains him and explains the danger of such premature conduct. She stresses that however favourable Narcissa’s inclinations may be, her mistress will not commit the slightest trespass against decorum, either by disclosing her own feelings or by receiving a declaration of his. She warns that if Narcissa were to learn the least hint of what had been revealed in confidence, she would not only dismiss Miss Williams as unworthy of her benevolence but would also forever shun Roderick’s advances. Roderick assents to the justice of this remonstrance.
The Letter Scheme
Following Miss Williams’s counsel, the two devise a careful scheme. For the present, Miss Williams is to tell Narcissa only that, in the course of her inquiries, she could learn nothing beyond Roderick’s name. If, within a day or two, no other avenue of introduction presents itself, she is to deliver a letter from him under the pretext that he met her in the streets and bribed her to carry it on the errand of consulting Narcissa’s happiness. With this arrangement settled, Roderick keeps his old acquaintance to breakfast.
News of Sir Timothy’s Death
Over breakfast, Miss Williams relates that Roderick’s rival, Sir Timothy, drank himself into an apoplexy and died five months ago. She adds that the “savage” (the nephew) remains still unmarried, a piece of news that removes the most direct obstacle to Roderick’s hopes.
The Aunt’s Marriage and Illness
Miss Williams further reports that Roderick’s aunt, in a whim the nephew little expected, has chosen the parish schoolmaster for her husband. Matrimony, however, has not agreed with her constitution: she has long been hectic and dropsical and is now at Bath taking the waters in hopes of recovering her health. Narcissa, at the aunt’s request, has accompanied her thither and continues to attend her with the same affection as before, despite the aunt’s earlier misdeeds. The nephew, exasperated at the loss of his aunt’s fortune, has come not out of goodwill but to keep a watchful eye on his sister and prevent her from throwing herself away without his consent or approbation.
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