Gawky’s Secret Marriage to Miss Lavement
Miss Lavement flirts with Gawky to win his affection, and less than two weeks later, the pair elope to the Fleet to marry without her parents’ prior knowledge. They return home the next morning to ask for her parents’ blessing: her father approves the match as Gawky never asked for a dowry, and her mother is relieved to be rid of a rival for her husband’s attention.
The Conspiracy Against Me
Gawky still resents Roderick for exposing his cowardice during the footpad attack, and shares this anger with his wife, who also hates Roderick for spurning her advances and knowing unflattering details about her character. The pair plot to destroy Roderick’s reputation and life.
The Planted Evidence
After the apothecary Lavement accuses Roderick of stealing large quantities of medicine from the household, he demands Roderick’s chest key, searches his room with the entire family present, and finds the stolen goods hidden inside the chest, planted there by Gawky and his wife to frame Roderick.
My Disgraceful Dismissal
Roderick protests his innocence and accuses Gawky of framing him, but Lavement chooses to believe the planted evidence, and dismisses Roderick from his service immediately with no opportunity to clear his name.
Deserted by All Friends
Roderick first tries to appeal to the schoolmaster Mr. Concordance for help, but finds him away in the country. He then attempts to seek help from other local acquaintances, but the servants have spread the story of his alleged theft, and no one will listen to his side of the story, leaving him completely deserted, with his reputation ruined, no money, and no support.
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