The Adventures of Roderick Random

Declaring unrequited love to Narcissa

At the house, Narcissa offers to protect Roderick from Sir Timothy and her aunt’s anger, and offers him money as thanks for his service, which he refuses to avoid appearing mercenary. He kneels, kisses her hand, and confesses he is a gentleman by birth who loves her desperately, explaining he would not have made the confession while in servitude, and declares his intention to flee her presence and bury his passion forever before leaving before she can respond.

Fleeing rival’s revenge, capture by smugglers, and transport to Boulogne

Roderick consults Mrs. Sagely, who warns him Sir Timothy will have him arrested and possibly transported for assaulting a magistrate, gives him two guineas, and urges him to flee. He escapes in the dark to the seaside, where he is surrounded by armed smugglers, bound, and taken aboard their cutter, where they accuse him of being a spy. After a council votes to maroon him in France rather than kill him, he hides six guineas in his sock to avoid being robbed, but is still stripped of his pocket money and hat by a smuggler before being set ashore in Boulogne.

Reuniting with destitute Uncle Lieutenant Bowling

Seeking refreshment at a public house in Boulogne, Roderick spots a disheveled Dutch sailor who, despite his shabby clothes and long beard, he recognizes as his long-lost uncle and benefactor Lieutenant Bowling. He reveals his identity as Roderick Random, and Bowling is overjoyed to see him but deeply distressed by his own destitute condition and inability to offer the younger man any help.