The Adventures of Roderick Random

Miss Williams Arrested by Bailiffs

Miss Williams is interrupted at her lodgings by a bailiff serving a writ for her arrest, who and his rough handling her roughly. The narrator prepares to defend her with a poker, but Miss Williams calmly stops him, noting violence would only harm the narrator and do her no good. She demands to see the writ, declares she is not the person named, and refuses to be taken quietly. The bailiff dismisses her claim, offers to take her to his house or jail, and when she admits she has no money, orders a coach to take her directly to the Marshalsea. Miss Williams reassures the narrator she can resolve the situation quickly, and after much entreaty, allows him to accompany her to the prison.

Taken to the Marshalsea

The narrator and Miss Williams arrive at the Marshalsea prison gate, where the bailiff presents the writ to the turnkey. The turnkey initially greets Miss Williams as his old acquaintance Elizabeth Cary (“Bet”), but steps back in shock when he sees her face, insisting she is not the woman named in the writ. The bailiff insists the identification is correct, leading to a dispute that prompts the group to move into the prison lodge to resolve the matter.

Mistaken Identity at the Prison Gate

At the Marshalsea gate, the turnkey initially mistakes Miss Williams for the Elizabeth Cary named in the writ, greeting her as an old acquaintance before realizing she is not the wanted woman. The bailiff refuses to accept the turnkey’s identification, insisting Miss Williams is the person named in the writ, creating a standoff that requires additional witnesses to prove her true identity.