Miss Faulkner had been about three years at the boarding-school, where we first placed her, and had arrived to her teens, when she gave such proofs of her extensive genius and uncommon understanding, as astonished those who had the care of her education, and exceeded the most sanguine expectations of her uncle and Mrs Paragraph, who were now become so equally fond of her, that few days passed in which they did not visit her, and show her every mark of love and affection, which they could have bestowed on their heir, had he lived to enjoy their paternal regards. In short, masters and instructors in every art and science, fit for her tender years, were employed, and she excelled the whole school in painting, drawing, music, dancing, and every other polite accomplishment; and, in her fifteenth year, Mr Paragraph took her from the boarding-school, and brought her home to his own house, where she continued her amusements, particularly music, in which she both excelled and delighted.

            It may be now thought necessary, to give some account of Miss Faulkner's person. She was somewhat above the middle size, but as exactly proportioned, as ever any goddess was drawn by the pencil of a Guido or Titian, her hair, which was as black as ebony, in flowing curls, covered the finest neck and skin in the universe; her eyes also were large and black, with all the soft languishment of the blue, and every turn of her face, discovered some new grace: add to all these natural charms, a voice that was perfectly transporting, assisted by all the powers of music, and you may, perhaps, from some idea of what Miss Faulkner then appeared to her numerous train of admirers.

            A bookseller's shop is generally a place of resort for men of genius, taste and gallantry; but the beauty of Mr Paragraph's wife and niece, brought him more visitors of high rank and fashion, than his books, and his pride always admitted persons of quality to make frequent visits in his family; for he was frequently known to boast of his extensive acquaintance among the nobility, that he knew lords, and lords knew him.

            In the number of his noble acquaintance, was Lord K–gs–h, of gallant and facetious memory; this young nobleman was as remarkable for his benevolence, generosity and hospitality, as he was for his spirit of intrigue, gallantry and debauchery; there never was such a compound of the high qualities than can adorn the human heart, blended with vices and excesses, that would disgrace the most abandoned profligate: in short, virtue or distress never departed from his door without reward and relief, whilst youth, beauty and innocence, were the daily victims of his most inordinate passions. He was not, by any means, what the ladies pronounce, a handsome man: but he was one of the best bred men in Europe; master of the most insinuating address, and where he once commenced a siege, was never known to withdraw his forces, until he had full possession of the citadel; in the course of which he exerted the most surprising courage, dexterity, and diligence, when necessary, and never spared a profusion of the most powerful ammunition.

            No sooner did Mr Paragraph remove Miss Faulkner to his own house, than Lord Kingsborough heard of and saw her; and as his Lordship had a fine taste for music, and played on most fashionable instruments in a very masterly manner, he frequently visited Mr Paragraph, and spent several hours with his lady and Miss Faulkner, in this enchanting amusement; and as Mr Paragraph thought himself prodigiously honoured in the company of his noble guest, several entertainments were prepared, and little parties made at Mr Paragraph's, in which the whole family were so delighted with the wit, good humour and elegant behaviour of his Lordship, that they were seldom happy but in his company; and, after some time, his Lordship prevailed with Mr Paragraph to attend the ladies to his Lordship's house, where they were entertained with a splendour and magnificence, that quite dazzled and confounded them.

            This sort of intercourse was too flattering to the vanity both of Mr and Mrs Paragraph, to permit them to reflect on its consequences, especially as Lord Kingsborough had always behaved in such a manner as not to give them the least cause of suspicion nor had he, as yet, been in the least particular in his behaviour to Miss Faulkner, more than in the raptures he expressed at her musical abilities, and those freedoms that are usual in musical performances, between persons of the first condition.

            It is true, that Lord Kingsborough had made some valuable presents, such as diamond ear-rings, necklaces, &c. both to Mrs Paragraph and Miss Faulkner, which he prevailed on them to accept, but his Lordship had now laid the train, and he was resolved to blow up the garrison, if he could not take it by surprise or capitulation.

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