The Adventures of Roderick Random

Revenge Plot Against Melinda with Billy Chatter

The narrator seeks revenge on Melinda with the assistance of Billy Chatter, who maintains a necessary position among the ladies and arranges private dances. Chatter agrees to introduce the narrator to a wealthy partner at the next private assembly. He identifies Miss Biddy Gripewell, an heiress of thirty thousand pounds, whose father was a pawnbroker who died intestate. Despite her great fortune, she was raised poorly and only after her father’s death assumed the airs of a fine lady, expecting nothing less than a duke or earl for a husband. She had been neglected by the English quality, though a poor Scottish lord was courting her. The narrator consents to impersonate a French marquis for one night to execute his revenge.

Banter’s Prank Scheme Targeting Melinda

The narrator visits Banter, whose misanthropical temper delights in accounts of female misbehavior. Banter applauds the plan and proposes that the narrator should not only secure a partner but also arrange for Miss Goosetrap to be paired with a ridiculous companion. He suggests his barber, recently returned from Paris, whose absurd affectation would easily pass for fashionable politeness. Banter assures the narrator that it would be simple to convince the barber that Melinda, having seen him by accident, was captivated and desired his acquaintance. The plan is set in motion, with Chatter acting as a gentleman usher to introduce the barber to Melinda.

Assembly Ruse: Marquis Impersonation and Melinda’s Humiliation

At the assembly, the narrator appears dressed as a Marquis and opens the ball with Miss Gripewell, who is adorned with prodigious jewels and attracts universal attention. Melinda cannot conceal her envy and astonishment at the narrator’s success. The narrator passes by her with only a slight bow, completing his triumph and her indignation—her fan breaks from the fury of her behavior. Meanwhile, the metamorphosed barber takes Melinda out and acts so ridiculously that the whole company laughs at his expense. Miss Gripewell retires in confusion, followed by her gallant who interprets her illness as love. The next day, the barber, in simplicity, reveals himself to Melinda, who is so affronted she hides from public view for weeks. Chatter falls into disgrace with Miss Gripewell, and both men suffer in reputation among the ladies.

Failed Courtship of Miss Gripewell and Descent into Drinking

Finding his finances diminished by more than half and his project no further advanced than on his first arrival in town, the narrator despairs of success and grows melancholy at the prospect of approaching want. He turns to the bottle and keeps more company than ever, becoming particularly attached to the playhouse, conversing with actors behind the scenes, and growing acquainted with a body of templars. In a short time, he commences a professed wit and critic, though he is better qualified than his companions who are generally the most ignorant and assuming of all creatures. Through these diversions, he masters the art of shoving aside gloomy reflections and calling agreeable reveries to his assistance. This is not the case with Strap, who practices a thousand shifts to conceal his sorrow, which has reduced him to a skeleton.

Receipt of Billet-Doux from an Unknown Admirer

One day the narrator receives by the penny post a letter written in a woman’s hand containing high-flown compliments, warm protestations of love in a poetical style, and earnest desire to know whether his heart is engaged. The letter is signed “Your incognita” and directs an answer to a certain place directed to R. B. The narrator is transported with joy, admiring the letter as a masterpiece of tenderness, and imagines the author as a lady of fortune in the bloom of youth and beauty. He composes an elaborate answer expressing admiration of her wit and imploring the honor of an interview. He sends Strap to deliver the letter at the appointed place, a milliner’s house near Bond Street, and instructs him to watch and discover who calls for it.