The Adventures of Roderick Random

The Duel

Reluctant yet recognizing the necessity of vindicating his mistress’s reputation and asserting his own honor, the protagonist rises hastily, dresses, puts on his sword, and proceeds with his conductor to the appointed place. Strap accompanies him. When within sight of his rival, the protagonist attempts explanation before battle, and Quiverwit confronts him about his presence in Mr. Topehall’s garden early that morning. The protagonist’s attempt to deflect by claiming an intrigue with a waiting maid fails to convince Quiverwit, who demands he renounce all claim to Narcissa upon oath. Exasperated, the protagonist unsheathes his sword, declaring his right to pursue Narcissa. Both draw, and the protagonist rushes upon Quiverwit with more eagerness than skill, receiving a wound in his neck that redoubles his rage. Quiverwit excels in temper and skill, parrying thrusts calmly while the protagonist exhausts his spirits. When the protagonist begins to flag, Quiverwit attacks fiercely and runs his sword between the protagonist’s shirt and skin, appearing over his left shoulder. The protagonist believes the wound mortal.

Vanquishing Quiverwit

Determined not to die unrevenged, the protagonist seizes Quiverwit’s shell close to his breast before the latter can disentangle his point. Shortening his own sword with his right hand, he intends to run Quiverwit through the heart, but the thrust penetrates Quiverwit’s left arm up to the shoulder blade. Disappointed yet fearing death might frustrate his revenge, the protagonist grapples with his opponent and, being much stronger, throws him to the ground. Here he wrests Quiverwit’s sword from his hand. In his confusion, instead of turning the point upon his fallen enemy, he strikes out three of Quiverwit’s foreteeth with the hilt. Their servants rush up to separate them, but the protagonist is on his feet before their arrival and discovers that his supposed mortal wound is only a slight scratch. Now relieved of danger, he feels a good deal of his resentment diminish.

The Wounded Rival

The protagonist helps Quiverwit’s footman raise his master and binds up the wound with his handkerchief, assuring that it is not dangerous. He restores Quiverwit’s sword and offers to support him to his house. Quiverwit thanks him with sullen dignity, whispers that the protagonist shall hear from him soon, and departs leaning on his servant’s shoulder. The protagonist interprets this promise as a threat. Upon returning home, the protagonist finds his neck wound stiff and uncomfortable, with clotted blood running down his shirt. Strap, upon seeing the blood, cries out in horror and falls senseless to the floor. The protagonist tends to his own slight wound with dry lint and a plaster, cleans himself, and shifts his clothes while Strap remains unconscious at his feet. When Strap recovers and finds the protagonist perfectly well, he can scarcely believe his eyes. Pleased with the outcome, the protagonist hopes the affair will become known and dignify his character, confident that Narcissa will not think the worse of him for demonstrating his worth.

CAPÍTULO LX.

Following the aftermath of his duel, the narrator is visited by Freeman and receives social acceptance at the coffee-house, though he is summoned by Lord Quiverwit, who reveals that he has informed Narcissa’s brother of the narrator’s romantic progress, warning that Narcissa has no fortune and that the narrator lacks the means to support her. The narrator learns that Narcissa has been hastily carried off by her brother in a coach-and-six, and though he initially intends to pursue them with pistols drawn, his friend Freeman dissuades him by appealing to his reason and reminding him of Narcissa’s maid, who might find opportunity to send word of their situation. Deeply despondent over his lost love, the narrator gambles recklessly at the gaming table, winning briefly before losing everything down to five guineas, then travels to London in despair, where he is consoled by a letter from Narcissa confirming her constancy despite being strictly watched and confined. Unable to find legitimate fortune, he follows Banter’s advice to bilk his tailor by ordering expensive clothes and selling them at half-price to a salesman, raising twenty-five guineas while his loyal servant Strap expresses heartfelt concern over his主人的 spiriting desperation.