Confronting Strutwell and Straddle
After the ambassador departs with his own secretary, the narrator feels at liberty to write to Strutwell, treating him with great freedom in a letter about amusing the narrator with vain hopes. He reproaches Straddle in person for misrepresenting Strutwell’s character, calling it infamous. Straddle seems enraged, talks about quality and honour, makes injurious comparisons, and when demanded an explanation, equivocates and condescends in a manner that leaves the narrator with hearty contempt.
Banter’s Matrimonial Scheme
Banter observes a sudden alteration in the narrator’s appearance and disposition. When inquired, the narrator invents a story about receiving a small supply from a relation in the country. Banter then proposes another matrimonial scheme involving his kinswoman’s daughter, who has a fortune of twenty thousand pounds. The daughter is sickly and decrepit, and her mother manages her fortune. Banter explains a breach between himself and the mother over a borrowed sum and a threatening letter that led to a writ against him. Banter proposes the narrator marry the girl for five hundred pounds to be paid six months after marriage. The narrator accepts these advantageous terms.
Departure for Bath
Banter gives notice of the time and stage coach in which the travelers will set out. The narrator bespeaks a place in the same convenience and hires a horse for Strap, who is chagrined with the prospect. They set forward for Bath.
Fellow Travellers Described
Before daybreak, the narrator embarks but cannot see Miss Snapper or perceive the number and sex of fellow travellers until seating himself with difficulty. The coach contains an officer, a lawyer, Miss Snapper, and a grave matron.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.