Arrival in England
Arrival in England The vessel beats successfully through the windward passage, catches a westerly wind, and in eight weeks reaches the soundings; two days later the Lizard is sighted. Roderick’s joy at the sight of English ground is matched by Don Rodrigo’s emotion, and even Strap weeps for gladness. The crew benefits from the passengers’ liberality, filling the shoe nailed to the mast. Although Captain Bowling intends to run into the Downs, a shifting wind off the Isle of Wight forces him into St. Helen’s and Spithead, where thirty of the crew are immediately pressed into a man-of-war.
Riding Across the Country
Riding Across the Country Roderick and Don Rodrigo go ashore at Portsmouth, leaving Strap with the captain to bring the ship round with their effects. Roderick’s impatience to see Narcissa is so obvious that his father permits him to ride post across the country to her brother’s house, while Don Rodrigo follows more leisurely by hired post-chaise to a rendezvous in London. Fired with passion, Roderick takes post that very night and by morning reaches an inn three miles from the squire’s house, where he waits in rapture and apprehension until the following morning, his hopes and fears heightened by an eighteen-month absence.
Mrs. Sagely’s Intelligence of Narcissa
Mrs. Sagely’s Intelligence of Narcissa Arriving in darkness at Mrs. Sagely’s cottage, Roderick scarcely dares to knock, fearing the worst. The good old woman opens the door in tearful affection and reassures him that Narcissa is as beautiful, healthy, and devoted as ever. She explains that Narcissa is now in London lodged with Miss Williams, awaiting his return; that the squire has been married a year to Melinda, who has estranged him from his sister; that Narcissa, ill-treated by her sister-in-law, has used her freedom and gone to town; and that Lord Quiverwit, repulsed in his addresses, has at last married elsewhere. The squire and Melinda, she adds, live in mutual discord, quarrelling openly before servants and company.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.