The Adventures of Roderick Random

Abandoning Marriage

When the narrator was actually on the point of crowning his wishes by matrimony, he made a discovery that effectually turned him from his design, and he abandoned all thoughts of marriage for the future.

第二十一章

This chapter chronicles Roderick’s downfall after Squire Gawky becomes a lodger at his master, apothecary Lavement’s, home. After Roderick impulsively rescues Gawky from watchmen by mistake, Gawky secretly marries Lavement’s daughter Miss Lavement, and the pair conspire to frame Roderick for theft. Wrongfully dismissed and abandoned by all his friends, Roderick is forced to rent a cheap garret room in St. Giles’s, where he accidentally discovers the woman he previously courted living in destitute conditions and provides her with relief.

Squire Gawky Arrives as Lodger

Squire Gawky, Roderick’s former acquaintance from Scotland who now holds an army lieutenancy, becomes a lodger in the Lavement household’s first floor. Gawky initially pretends not to recognize Roderick, easing Roderick’s fears of retaliation for their past conflict in Scotland.

The Night Rescue and Mistaken Identity

Returning late one night from a patient’s house, Roderick sees a Scotchman being restrained by watchmen alongside two other men. Driven by loyalty to his home country, he attacks the watchman holding the Scotchman to free him, but the man flees, leaving Roderick to be beaten by the other watchmen. Roderick later learns the man he rescued was Gawky, who had been robbed and abused by footpads.

Accused of Insolence

The next day, Gawky lies to the Lavement family about showing great bravery to escape his attackers, so Roderick confronts him, using his swollen, injured eye as proof that he was the one who rescued Gawky. Gawky is stunned into silence, and Roderick is reprimanded by his mistress for insolent behaviour, though Gawky later feigns forgiveness, advising Roderick to be more certain of his claims before making accusations in future.