ter she was withdrawn, complimented Mr.
Hatchway upon the beauty, breeding, and good-humour of his kinswoman.

But what contributed more than any other circumstance to her speedy
improvement, was some small insight into the primer, which she had
acquired at a day-school, during the life of her father, who was a
day-labourer in the country. Upon this foundation did Peregrine build
a most elegant superstructure; he culled out choice sentences from
Shakespeare, Otway, and Pope, and taught her to repeat them with an
emphasis and theatrical cadence. He then instructed her in the names
and epithets of the most celebrated players, which he directed her
to pronounce occasionally, with an air of careless familiarity; and,
perceiving that her voice was naturally clear, he enriched it with
remnants of opera tunes, to be hummed during a pause in conversation,
which is generally supplied with a circulation of a pinch of snuff.
By means of this cultivation she became a wonderful proficient in the
polite graces of the age; she, with great facility, comprehended the
scheme of whist, though cribbage was her favourite game, with which she
had amused herself in her vacant hours, from her first entrance into the
profession of hopping; and brag soon grew familiar to her practice and
conception.

Thus prepared, she was exposed to the company of her own sex, being
first of all visited by the parson's daughter, who could not avoid
showing that civility to Mr. Hatchway's niece, after she had made her
public appearance at church. Mrs. Clover, who had a great share of
penetration, could not help entertaining some doubts about this same
relation, whose name she had never heard the uncle mention, during the
whole term of her residence at the garrison. But as the young lady was
treated in that character, she would not refuse her acquaintance; and,
after having seen her at the castle, actually invited Miss Hatchway to
her house. In short, she made a progress through almost all the families
in the neighbourhood; and by dint of her quotations, which, by the bye,
were not always judiciously used, she passed for a sprightly young lady,
of uncommon learning and taste.

Peregrine having in this manner initiated her in the beau monde of the
country, conducted her to London, where she was provided with private
lodgings and a female attendant; and put her immediately under the
tuition of his valet-de-chambre, who had orders to instruct her in
dancing, and