The Adventures of Roderick Random

Father’s Present to Narcissa

The narrator’s father presents Narcissa with a £500 bank note as a formal paternal gift, acknowledging her as his future daughter. Narcissa accepts the offer graciously, noting she already views her interests as inseparably linked to the narrator’s, which greatly pleases the father.

Letter Dispatched to Her Brother

Per the narrator’s request, an express letter is dispatched to Narcissa’s brother in Sussex to inform him of the couple’s upcoming marriage plans.

Among Acquaintances

While spending most of his time with Narcissa, the narrator makes time to visit his former acquaintances, who are astonished by the improved grandeur of his circumstances.

Banter’s Behaviour

Banter is particularly confounded by the narrator’s sudden good fortune, and only understands the cause after the narrator shares the full story of his recent voyage with him. Banter professes satisfaction at the news, and the narrator invites him to dinner. The narrator’s father is so pleased with Banter’s conversation that he offers to lend him money to purchase a military commission. Banter instead requests a small loan of ten guineas, claiming he is on the verge of being reconciled with a wealthy uncle who intends to make him his heir, and declines the army offer, stating he values his independence too highly to serve under men he considers dishonourable. The narrator gives him twenty guineas instead, and takes his note for the debt.

Squire Refuses Consent

The narrator receives a hostile letter from Narcissa’s brother, Squire Orson Topehall, who refuses to consent to the marriage, threatens to disinherit Narcissa if she marries without his approval, dismisses the narrator’s father’s settlement as a sham, and declares the narrator will never be accepted into their family. The narrator is unbothered by the letter, seeing it as a chance to demonstrate his disinterested love for Narcissa.