The Adventures of Roderick Random

Uncle Approves the Choice

The narrator’s uncle arrives in London, and the narrator introduces him to Narcissa. The uncle is immediately struck by her beauty and warm character, and enthusiastically approves of the marriage match. He offers to give Narcissa away at the ceremony, swearing he loves her as his own child, and promises a gift of 2000 guineas for the couple’s first child. Narcissa happily accepts him as her uncle, and the uncle is delighted by her courteous reception.

The Marriage

All arrangements are finalized for a private wedding ceremony at the narrator’s father’s home. On the wedding day, Don Rodrigo and the uncle fetch Narcissa and her companion Miss Williams. The narrator’s servant Strap is awestruck by Narcissa’s beauty when she arrives, and exclaims in Latin at her appearance. The couple is married by a clergyman, with the uncle acting as Narcissa’s father figure. After the ceremony, the narrator presents Narcissa with a legal deed settling all his worldly possessions on her and her heirs in perpetuity. She accepts the gift gratefully, and asks the narrator’s father to hold the document for safekeeping. The couple then retires to their private chambers after the wedding celebration.

At the Play

A short time after the wedding, the narrator and Narcissa attend a play, where they encounter Squire Topehall and his wife Melinda in the opposite box. Melinda is deeply piqued that Narcissa outshines her in both beauty and dress, and loses all her admirers to the new Mrs. Random. Melinda makes a show of annoyance, flirting with her fan and giggling affectedly, before leaving the theatre long before the play ends, unable to hide her mortification.

Acquaintance Courted

Melinda spreads malicious rumours about the narrator and Narcissa’s marriage to damage their reputation. A group of acquaintances who are fond of scandal begin inquiring into the narrator’s fortune, and once they confirm it is fully independent, they abruptly reverse their previous dismissive attitude and begin courting the couple’s acquaintance. Narcissa, however, is too proud to encourage this fickle behaviour, especially from her own relatives who spread false reports about her, and refuses to meet with them.

CAPÍTULO LXIX.

The narrator and his wife Narcissa accompany his father Don Rodrigo to Scotland to visit his native country and his mother’s grave. During this journey, the uncle renews his will in favor of the narrator and his wife, and the family sets out for Scotland with an entourage including Strap and two men in livery.

Preparing for the Scottish Journey and Uncle’s Will Renewal

Don Rodrigo decides to revisit his homeland and pay respects at his late wife’s grave. His son and daughter-in-law Narcissa accompany him, while the uncle resolves to return to sea once more and try his fortune. Before departing, the uncle renews his will in favor of the narrator and Narcissa, depositing it with his brother-in-law. Meanwhile, the narrator takes precautions for his own interests by summoning the squire to produce his father-in-law’s will at Doctors’ Commons and employs a proctor to manage the affair during his absence.

Journey to Scotland and Purchase of Paternal Estate

The party departs from London, traveling in easy stages with Don Rodrigo, Narcissa, and Miss Williams in the coach, while Strap and two men in livery ride horseback. Upon arriving in Edinburgh, they rest for several weeks. While there, Don Rodrigo learns that his father’s estate has been ruined by a foxhunter and is to be sold at public auction. He determines to repurchase the land where he was born and successfully acquires all the property that belonged to his father.

Stop at the Narrator’s Former School Town and Acquaintance Encounters

On their way to take possession of the estate, the party halts at the town where the narrator was educated. He discovers that Mr. Crab has died, pays off his bond with interest to the executor, and retrieves the document. Mr. Potion and his wife attempt to visit the narrator and his father, but the narrator rejects their overtures with disdain, remembering their sordid treatment of him when he was an orphan. A female cousin also appears and greets them familiarly, but the narrator reminds her of how poorly she treated him in childhood, prompting his father to order her away. The narrator later learns she has married an impoverished ensign and her sister has borne a child to a footman now married to her mother.

Warm Reception at the Scottish Estate and Local Visits

As they approach the estate, a great multitude of poor tenants—men, women, and children—meet them with loud acclamations of joy. Scottish peasants are notably devoted to their lords, and the crowd’s affection nearly overwhelms the party. Many kneel to kiss Don Rodrigo’s hand or garment, praying for his prosperity, while others approach Narcissa and the narrator with similar reverence. The touching scene moves all present to tears. Don Rodrigo orders cattle slaughtered and ale tapped to celebrate with the people. The next day, local gentry arrive to pay their respects, including the foxhunter who has been staying with relatives after ruining his estate; the generous Don Rodrigo receives him kindly and promises to purchase a commission in the army for him.

Visit to the Narrator’s Former School and Strap’s Marriage Settlement

The party visits the village where the narrator attended school, where the schoolmaster Mr. Syntax delivers a Latin oration in their honor. Strap’s father and relations honor the honest valet as the foremost gentleman of their family. The narrator leaves forty pounds for the parish poor. That evening, a slightly elevated Strap confesses his affection for Miss Williams and requests the narrator and Narcissa’s intercession. When the narrator questions whether Strap knows Miss Williams’s history, Strap proves unconcerned about past troubles or worldly judgment. Narcissa successfully petitions on Strap’s behalf, and Miss Williams accepts his proposal. Don Rodrigo approves the match, provides five hundred pounds to stock a farm, and appoints Strap as overseer of the estate, while Narcissa gives her maid an equal sum.

Narrator’s Happiness and News of Recovered Fortune

The narrator declares his complete felicity, noting that his passionate love has matured into tranquil, enduring fondness rooted in virtuous wedlock. Fortune appears determined to compensate for past cruelty. His proctor writes that despite the clause on which the squire bases his claim, the narrator will recover his wife’s fortune due to a codicil specifying that the restriction applies only until age nineteen, after which she had full disposal of her inheritance. The narrator wishes to return to London immediately but cannot leave Narcissa, who is expecting a child, in such an interesting situation.