Procuring My Discharge
Strap suggests that a bold push must be made and proposes the narrator appear as a gentleman and make addresses to a lady of fortune to become independent. He assures the narrator this is both prudent and honourable, promising to provide clothes befitting a duke. Strap plans to serve as the narrator’s valet to save expense. The narrator listens with pleasure as the scheme flatters his vanity and indulges his hope of inspiring Narcissa.
Strap successfully petitions the marquis and procures the narrator’s discharge within a few days.
The Journey to Paris
The narrator reflects on his sudden transition from abject misery to quiet possession, provided with an extensive wardrobe including five fashionable coats, velvet and laced varieties, numerous waistcoats and breeches, silk stockings in abundance, multiple hats, fine shirts and handkerchiefs. Additional possessions include a gold watch with chased case, diamond rings, mourning swords, buckles, silver-mounted pistols, a gold-headed cane, and a tortoiseshell snuff-box with a lady’s picture. The narrator also receives over two hundred pounds in cash from the sale of other valuables.
Sights in the Capital
Dressed as a gentleman of figure and attended by Strap as his valet, the narrator visits the Louvre, examines the gallery of Luxembourg, and appears at Versailles where he sees Louis XV eat olives. Over the month at Paris, he goes several times to court, the Italian comedy, opera, and playhouse, dances at a masquerade, and sees everything remarkable in and about the capital.
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