The Adventures of Roderick Random

Uncle Approves the Choice

The narrator’s uncle arrives in London, and the narrator introduces him to Narcissa. The uncle is immediately struck by her beauty and warm character, and enthusiastically approves of the marriage match. He offers to give Narcissa away at the ceremony, swearing he loves her as his own child, and promises a gift of 2000 guineas for the couple’s first child. Narcissa happily accepts him as her uncle, and the uncle is delighted by her courteous reception.

The Marriage

All arrangements are finalized for a private wedding ceremony at the narrator’s father’s home. On the wedding day, Don Rodrigo and the uncle fetch Narcissa and her companion Miss Williams. The narrator’s servant Strap is awestruck by Narcissa’s beauty when she arrives, and exclaims in Latin at her appearance. The couple is married by a clergyman, with the uncle acting as Narcissa’s father figure. After the ceremony, the narrator presents Narcissa with a legal deed settling all his worldly possessions on her and her heirs in perpetuity. She accepts the gift gratefully, and asks the narrator’s father to hold the document for safekeeping. The couple then retires to their private chambers after the wedding celebration.

At the Play

A short time after the wedding, the narrator and Narcissa attend a play, where they encounter Squire Topehall and his wife Melinda in the opposite box. Melinda is deeply piqued that Narcissa outshines her in both beauty and dress, and loses all her admirers to the new Mrs. Random. Melinda makes a show of annoyance, flirting with her fan and giggling affectedly, before leaving the theatre long before the play ends, unable to hide her mortification.