The Adventures of Roderick Random

第五十章

Chapter L narrates the protagonist’s disastrous rendezvous with a woman he expected to be the young Miss Sparkle, only to discover she is her elderly governess, Miss Withers. The chapter traces the protagonist’s feigned courtship of the old woman to access her charge, the abrupt collapse of the affair due to a garlic-induced crisis, and the subsequent debriefing with his companion Strap. The episode ends with the old woman’s pursuit ceasing entirely, leaving the protagonist no closer to meeting the object of his original interest.

Rendezvous Arrival

The protagonist arrives at the place of rendezvous and is led into a private apartment. After only a few minutes of nervous anticipation, he hears silk rustling and footsteps ascending the stairs. His heart races, his cheeks glow, and his entire body trembles with ecstasy at the approaching meeting.

Elderly Governess Withers Revealed

The protagonist springs forward to embrace his charmer but recoils in horror upon finding that Miss Sparkle has been transformed into a wrinkled woman turned seventy. He stands struck dumb and petrified, while the ancient figure, perceiving his disorder, approaches with a languishing air, seizes his hand, and asks in a squeaking tone whether he is unwell. Her monstrous affectation deepens his disgust, and only with great effort does he manage to compose himself and offer a flimsy apology citing a sudden dizziness.

Withers’ Amorous Advances

Withers, alarmed by his initial confusion but reassured by his explanation, breaks into a thousand amorous coquetries and assumes the sprightly airs of a girl of sixteen. She ogled him with rheum-dimmed eyes, affected demure glances and blushes, tossed her palsied head, lisped childish questions, giggled with closed lips to hide her ruined teeth, sighed, and flung herself about in her chair. The protagonist, incapable of affronting anyone who claims to love him, struggles to maintain a civil demeanor and asks her name and condition.