The Adventures of Roderick Random
divide us! By this ambrosial kiss, a thousand times more fragrant than
the breeze that sweeps the orange grove, I never more will leave thee!”
As my first transport abated, my passion grew turbulent and unruly. I
was giddy with standing on the brink of bliss, and all my virtue and
philosophy were scarce sufficient to restrain the inordinate sallies of
desire. Narcissa perceived the conflict within me, and with her usual
dignity of prudence, called off my imagination from the object in view,
and with eager expressions of interested curiosity, desired to know the
particulars of my voyage. In this I gratified her inclination, bringing
my story down to the present hour. She was infinitely surprised at the
circumstance of finding my father, which brought tears into her lovely
eyes. She was transported at hearing that approved of my flame,
discovered a longing desire of being introduced to him, congratulated
herself and me upon my good fortune, and observed, that this great and
unexpected stroke of fate seemed to have been brought about by the
immediate direction of Providence. Having entertained ourselves some
hours with the genuine effusions of our souls, I obtained her consent
to complete my happiness as soon as my father should judge it proper;
and, applying with my own hands a valuable necklace, composed of
diamonds and amethysts set alternately, which an old Spanish lady at
Paraguay had presented me with, I took my leave, promising to return in
the afternoon with Don Rodrigo. When I went home, this generous parent
inquired very affectionately about the health of my dear Narcissa, to
whom, that I might be the more agreeable, he put into my hand a deed,
by which I found myself in possession of fifteen thousand pounds,
exclusive of the profits of my own merchandise, which amounted to three
thousand more. After dinner I accompanied him to the lodgings of my
mistress, who, being dressed for the occasion, made a most dazzling
appearance. I could perceive him struck with her figure, which I really
think was the most beautiful that ever was created under the sun. He
embraced her tenderly, and told her he was proud of having a son who
had spirit to attempt, and qualifications to engage the affections of
such a fine lady. She blushed at this compliment, and, with eyes full
of the softest languishment turned upon me, said, she should have been
unworthy of Mr. Random’s attention, had she been blind to his
extraordinary merit. I made no other answer than a low bow. My father,
sighing, pronounced, “Such was once my Charlotte;” while the tear
rushed into his eye, and the tender heart of Narcissa manifested itself
in two precious drops of sympathy, which, but for his presence, I would
have kissed away. Without repeating the particulars of our
conversation, I shall only observe, that Don Rodrigo was as much
charmed with her good sense as with her appearance, and she was no less
pleased with his understanding and polite address. It was determined
that he should write to the squire, signifying his approbation of my
passion for his sister, and offering a settlement, which he should have
no reason to reject; and that, if he should refuse the proposal, we
would crown our mutual wishes without any further regard to his will.
CHAPTER LXVIII
My Father makes a present to Narcissa—the Letter is dispatched to her
Brother—I appear among my Acquaintance—Banter’s Behaviour—the Squire
refuses his Consent—my Uncle comes to Town—approves of my Choice—I am
married—we meet the Squire and his Lady at the Play—our Acquaintance is
courted
After having spent the evening to the satisfaction of all present, my
father addressed himself thus to Narcissa. “Madam, give me leave to
consider you hereafter as my daughter, in which capacity I insist upon
your accepting this first instance of my paternal duty and affection.”
With these words he put into her hand a bank note of five hundred
pounds, which she no sooner examined, than with a low courtesy she
replied. “Dear sir, though I have not the least occasion for this
supply, I have too great a veneration for you to refuse this proof of
your generosity and esteem, which I the more freely receive, because I
already look upon Mr. Random’s interest as inseparably connected with
mine.” He was extremely well pleased with her frank and ingenuous
reply, upon which we saluted, and wished her good night. The letter, at
my request, was dispatched to Sussex by an express, and in the
meantime, Don Rodrigo, to grace my nuptials, hired a ready furnished
house, and set up a very handsome equipage.
Though I passed the greatest part of the day with the darling of my
soul, I found leisure sometimes to be among my former acquaintance, who
were astonished at the magnificence of my appearance. Banter in
particular was confounded at the vicissitudes of my fortune, the causes
of which he endeavoured in vain to discover, until I thought fit to
disclose the whole secret of my last voyage, partly in consideration of
our former intimacy, and partly to prevent unfavourable conjectures,
which he and others, in all probability, would have made in regard to
my circumstances. He professed great satisfaction at this piece of
news; and I had no cause to believe him insincere, when I considered
that he would now look upon himself as acquitted of the debt he owed
me, and at the same time flatter himself with the hopes of borrowing
more. I carried him home to dinner with me, and my father liked his
conversation so much, that, upon hearing his difficulties, he desired
me to accommodate him for the present, and inquire, if he would accept
of a commission in the army, towards the purchase of which he should
willingly lend him money. Accordingly, I gave my friend an opportunity
of being alone with me, when, as I expected, he told me that he was
just on the point of being reconciled to an old rich uncle, whose heir
he was, but wanted a few pieces for immediate expense, which he desired
I would lend him and take my bond for the whole. His demand was limited
to ten guineas; and when I put twenty in his hand, he stared at me for
some moments; then, putting it into his purse, “Ay,—’tis all one—you
shall have the whole in a very short time.” When I had taken his note,
to save the expense of a bond, I expressed some surprise that a fellow
of his spirit should loiter away his time in idleness, and, asked why
he did not choose to make his fortune in the army. “What,” said he,
“throw away money upon a subaltern’s commission, and be under the
command of a parcel of scoundrels, who have raised themselves above me
by the most infamous practices. No, I love independency too well to
sacrifice my life, health, and pleasure, for such a pitiful
consideration.” Finding him adverse to this way of life, I changed the
subject, and returned to Don Rodrigo, who had just received the
following epistle from the squire:
“Sir,—Concerning a letter which I received, subscribed R. Random, this
is the answer. As for you, I know nothing of you. Your son, or
pretended son, I have seen; if he marries my sister, at his peril be
it; I do declare that he shall not have one farthing of her fortune,
which becomes my property, if she takes a husband without my consent.
Your settlement, I do believe, is all a sham, and yourself no better
than you should be; but if you had all the wealth of the Indies, your
son shall never match in our family with the consent of
“Orson Topehall”
My father was not much surprised at this polite letter, after having
heard the character of the author; and as for me, I was even pleased at
his refusal, because I had now an opportunity of showing my
disinterested love. By his permission I waited on my charmer: and
having imparted the contents of her brother’s letter, at which she wept
bitterly, in spite of all my consolation and caresses, the time of our
marriage was fixed two days. During this interval, in which my soul was
wound up to the last stretch of rapturous expectation, Narcissa
endeavoured to reconcile some of her relations in town to her marriage
with me; but, finding them all deaf to her remonstrances, either out of
envy or prejudice, she told me with the most enchanting sweetness,
while the tears bedewed her lovely cheeks, “Sure the world will no
longer question your generosity when you take a poor forlorn beggar to
your arms?” Affected with her sorrow, I pressed the fair mourner to my
breast, and swore that she was more dear and welcome on that account,
because she had sacrificed her friends and fortune to her love for me.
My uncle, for whose character she had a great veneration, being by this
time come to town, I introduced him to my bride; and, although he was
not very much subject to refined sensations, he was struck dumb with
admiration at her beauty. After having kissed and gazed at her for some
time, he turned to me, saying. “Odds bobs, Rory! a notable prize
indeed, finely built and gloriously rigged, i’faith! If she an’t well
manned when you take the command of her, sirrah, you deserve to go to
sea in a cockle shell. No offence, I hope, niece! you must not mind
what I say, being (as the saying is) a plain seafaring man, though
mayhap I have as much regard for you as another.” She received him with
great civility, told him she had longed a great while to see a person
to whom she was so much indebted for his generosity to Mr. Random; that
she looked upon him as her uncle, by which name she begged leave to
call him for the future; and that she was very sure he could say
nothing that would give her the least offence. The honest captain was
transported at her courteous behaviour, and insisted upon giving her
away at the ceremony, swearing that he loved her as well as if she was
his own child, and that he would give two thousand guineas to the first
fruit of our love, as soon as it would squeak. Everything being settled
for the solemnisation of our nuptials, which were to be performed
privately at my father’s house, the auspicious hour arrived, when Don
Rodrigo and my uncle went in the coach to fetch the bride and Miss
Williams: leaving me with a parson, Banter, and Strap, neither of whom
had as yet seen my charming mistress. My faithful valet, who was on the
rack of impatience to behold a lady of whom he had heard so much, no
sooner understood that the coach was returned, than he placed himself
at a window, to have a peep at her as she alighted; and, when he saw
her, clapped his hands together, turned up the white of his eyes, and,
with his mouth wide open, remained in a sort of ecstacy, which broke
out into “O Dea certe! qualis in Eurotae ripis, aut per iuga Cynthi
exercet Diana choros?” The doctor and Banter were surprised to hear my
man speak Latin; but when my father led Narcissa into the room, the
object of their admiration was soon changed, as appeared in the
countenances of both. Indeed, they must have been the most insensible
of all beings, could they have beheld without emotion the divine
creature that approached! She was dressed in a sack of white satin,
embroidered on the breast with gold, the crown of her head was covered
with a small French cap, from whence descended her beautiful hair in
ringlets that waved upon her snowy neck, which dignified the necklace I
had given her; her looks glowed with modesty and love; and her bosom,
through the veil of gauze that shaded it, afforded a prospect of
Elysium! I received this inestimable gift of Providence as became me;
and in a little time the clergyman did his office, my uncle, at his own
earnest request, acting the part of a father to my dear Narcissa, who
trembled very much, and had scarce spirits sufficient to support her
under this great change of situation. Soon as she was mine by the laws