The Adventures of Roderick Random

Fake Lover Confronts Wagtail at the Tavern

Fake Lover Confronts Wagtail at the Tavern

As the company deliberates on this final expedition, a tall strumpet is sent up from below claiming to seek Wagtail. With theatrical solemnity she is admitted and, after fixing a melancholy gaze upon the doctor, accuses him of having won her heart under pretence of honourable addresses, robbed her of her virginity, and abandoned her now that she is four months gone with child and turned out by her relations. She denounces him as a faithless barbarian, declares she will tear out his heart, and springs at him; Wagtail leaps over the table and takes refuge behind Bragwell. Random easily perceives that the scene is a concerted scheme to torment the doctor and cheerfully joins the conspiracy.

Wagtail Bribes the Fake Lover and Is Humiliated

Wagtail Bribes the Fake Lover and Is Humiliated

Ranter recommends that Wagtail marry the woman to save his reputation; Slyboot suggests buying a father for the child and settling an alimony. Bragwell offers to rid the doctor of her importunity for half a guinea, which Wagtail eagerly presses into his hand; half a piece is passed to the complainant. She then demands a parting kiss, seizes Wagtail’s cheek between her teeth, and holds on while he roars with anguish to the huge diversion of the company. When she releases him, Banter calls for the actual cautery, Ranter proposes scooping out the wound with a sword-point, but Slyboot produces a “balsam” from his pocket—a bladder of black paint—which he smears over the sore and most of the patient’s face. The terrified and humiliated Wagtail is at last packed into a chair and sent home, much to Random’s pity and against the inclination of everyone else present.