The Adventures of Roderick Random

Vandal’s Rejection

Upon Marmozet’s return, they discuss the play cordially, though Marmozet’s remarks are more unfavorable than expected. Melopoyn answers the objections and believes he has won Marmozet over. However, Marmozet now professes ignorance of Earl Sheerwit’s opinion and admits his interest with Vandal is insufficient alone. He advises applying directly to the earl for a message to the manager. Through the gentlewoman’s channels, a promise of the message arrives, conditional on assurance of Vandal being unengaged to other writers. Later intelligence reveals that Marmozet had previously informed the earl the play was altogether unfit for the stage. Melopoyn obtains Vandal’s assurance that he is free of engagements and receives the play, rehearsing it without delay. When Melopoyn attends at the appointed time, Vandal pronounces the play improper for the stage and rejects it, offering groundless and unintelligible objections. Melopoyn suspects Vandal has not read it at all. He later learns Vandal’s judgment has been disordered by superstition and the tyranny of his wife.

Suspicions of Treachery

Melopoyn entertains doubts of Marmozet’s integrity when he compares the circumstances of his conduct. Lord Sheerwit speaks of Marmozet with great contempt, resenting his insolence in opposing the earl’s taste. A hot-headed friend visits and affirms that Marmozet is the sole occasion of the disappointment, having acted with perfidious dissimulation. He claims Marmozet employed all his art to prejudice the ignorant manager, motivated by avarice to undermine another author of established reputation whose tragedy might interfere with the comedy Marmozet had purchased to bring on for his own benefit. The friend describes Marmozet as courted for his buffoonery and talent for mimicking, rather than any virtues of the heart. Melopoyn argues against these asseverations but cannot entirely dismiss them, though he dares not doubt Marmozet’s innocence given his continued favor with the earl.