Mr Donaldson was so very generous in his addresses to Miss Faulkner, that, during the whole time of their courtship, he never once enquired into her circumstances or fortune; and her own integrity, generosity and inexperience, prevented her ever entertaining a thought on that subject, with respect to his circumstances. She really liked him, and considered herself as highly honoured and obliged in the generosity of a gentleman, of his appearance and independence, marrying her in the situation of life she was in; and therefore never suspected the least imposition; and in a few days after their marriage she acquainted him, that she had in the funds 600l. to dispose of as he thought proper.

            This was a circumstance, that Mr Donaldson was before well acquainted with, and in reality was the loadstone that attracted all his affections to the unsuspecting Miss Faulkner. It is true, he once had a small fortune, which was entirely consumed in gaming and other follies, and he was now reduced to the most desperate circumstances, and therefore seized this 600l. as the only means to keep him from a prison and immediate poverty. Nevertheless he kept up appearances with his wife, and, after he had got this at this money, they lived some time in great content and tranquillity, and she was perfectly happy in her choice.

            Their sunshine did not, however, long continue. Mr Donaldson took to his old trade of gaming, and associating with a set of villains, who had before cheated him out of his fortune, they in a few months stripped him of every shilling of his last acquisition. This made him desperate, and he plunged himself into every sort of debauch and excess. He threw off every appearance of love and respect for his wife, and by degrees stripped her of even her wearing apparel, and every necesary she had about her person and, to complete the horror of her misery, he gave her the foul distemper, and then absconded both from her and his creditors, to avoid that prison from which she had before redeemed him.

            It would but too much affect a sympathizing heart, to describe what our unfortunate heroine suffered on this occasion. She was reduced to the most deplorable circumstances, without a second change of apparel, or any friend on earth to assist or relieve her, but her greatest misfortune was the dreadful distemper, which she laboured under for some time, before she knew or ever suspected the cause. Mrs Preston first discovered it, and as she was principally the means of this fatal connection with Mr Donaldson, she was indeed deeply afflicted. She made immediate application to Mr M––, a gentleman of her acquaintance, who, she knew, had a very great friendship for Miss Faulkner, as well before as after her marriage, and acquainted him with her unhappy situation and circumstances.

            Mr M–– had a heart abounding with compassion and benevolence, but his circumstances prevented his giving the immediate assistance, that his inclinations and this unfortunate lady's case required. He contributed what he could towards it; but was resolved to solicit and procure for her, what he was not able to do himself. He was at that time very intimate with Lord Halifax, knew, that his Lordship's heart and purse were ever open to distressed merit. To him therefore Mr M–– immediately applied, and related so much as he knew of our heroine's history and distresses, in so pathetic and moving a manner, that his Lordship instantly dispatched him with a banknote of 50l. to our fair sufferer, and desired that a surgeon of the first eminence should be forthwith employed, and every other attendance given for her immediate cure, all which he would cheerfully pay.

            Mr M–– in raptures returned to Mrs Preston, and acquainted her with his success. Mrs Preston was no less overjoyed, but all that she could say, could not persuade Mr M–– to approach the object of their mutual concern, lest he should abash and confuse her. He knew her delicacy and modesty would be shocked at his knowledge of her condition, and therefore would not go into her presence, but giving Mrs Preston the bank note, he desired her to go and purchase whatever necessaries were wanting and went directly himself to engage a surgeon. Miss Faulkner was an utter stranger to everything that passed upon this occasion, nor had Mrs Preston fully apprised her of the dangerous situation she was in, but as soon as the surgeon came, after a proper consultation between Mr M––, the surgeon, and herself, for that purpose, he was introduced to Miss Faulkner, as a surgeon of Mrs Preston's acquaintance, who called accidentally, and, as she was indisposed, would prescribe something for her; and by degrees, the affair was thus opened, until the surgeon explained to her the necessity of her submitting to a regular cure. All the misfortunes, that had ever before happened to her, were trifling to what she felt, on this information of the nature of her disorder, and she would have cheerfully resigned her life, rather than bear the infamy, which she conceived the very name of this disease carried with it. She was, however, obliged to submit, and, in a little time after, Mrs Preston informed her of the obligations she was under to Mr M––, who had procured her such assistance both of friends and money.

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