In the winter it was expected and agreed on, that she should make her appearance on Covent Garden theatre, but amongst the number of her admirers was one Mr Donaldson, a young gentleman of very genteel appearance and polite address. He used every possible means of getting acquainted with her, and at last effected it through Mrs Preston, in whose house Miss Faulkner still continued to board and lodge. Mr Donaldson assured Mrs Preston, that his intentions respecting Miss Faulkner were strictly honourable, and that he was a gentleman of an independent fortune; that her lodger had made the deep impression on his heart, and that, if she would countenance and encourage his addresses, he would amply reward her. Mrs Preston assured him, that, if his designs were honourable, and his addresses agreeable to Miss Faulkner, she would do him any service in her power; and the next morning engaged him to breakfast with herself and our heroine.

            Mr Donaldson had before several times occasionally spoke to Miss Faulkner in public, merely as a singer, and to compliment her on her performance. She immediately recollected him, and being assured by Mrs Preston, that his addresses were perfectly honourable, she received him with her usual politeness and civility; and as soon as breakfast was finished, and Mrs Preston withdrawn, Mr Donaldson made a formal declaration of his passion: that he had long wished for an opportunity of assuring her his intentions were sincere and honourable; that his fortune, though not abundant, was competent and independent; and that if she would condescend to think favourably of him, he would esteem himself extremely honoured in her acceptance of his hand and fortune. He added, that he was no stranger either to her disagreeable situation, or the nauseous proposals which were every day made to her, and she had nobly refused, that these refusals increased his esteem for her, and justified the impression which her beauty had first made upon him; that when it should be known she was married to a gentleman, her troublesome suitors would desist from their ungenerous and mean pursuits, but that whilst she continued single, she must not expect any respite from their importunities.

            Miss Faulkner, with great attention, heard the whole of Mr Donaldson's declaration, and returned him suitable compliments for his kind intentions and favourable opinion of her; but assured him, that she did not entertain the least thoughts about matrimony, and were she but free from those fulsome and disagreeable solicitations he had mentioned, she should be extremely well contented with her situation: that if anything could persuade her to alter her condition, it would be the very motives he had mentioned; but that at present she could not think of it. Mr Donaldson however obtained her permission to repeat his visits, and after expressing his hopes, that his future conduct would procure him some part of her esteem, he took a most respectful leave of her for that time; but more than ever in love and charmed with her good sense and elegant behaviour. Although courtship is a pleasing subject, we will not here dwell longer upon it, let it suffice, that Mr Donaldson was so assiduous in his addresses, and rendered himself so very agreeable to Miss Faulkner, that, at the end of three months, she consented to give him her hand, and they were married in as private a manner as possible.

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