'Mr Faulkland, who was about leaving us, asked my permission to give a ball to the neighbouring ladies in our new room, which is just finished. As I concluded he would ask nobody but our own acquaintances, I readily consented; and my lord, you know, is fond of those frolics. I own I was surprized to see Mrs Gerrarde amongst the company, as undaunted as the _modestest_ face there. I would not however confront Mr Faulkland so much, as to shew any disrespect to one, who was, at that time, _his_ guest; but I was out of all patience to find that _she_, along with several others, was asked to supper; my too-good-natured lord joining in the invitation. Mr Faulkland made a pretence to wait on her home, and the audacious creature took that opportunity to march off with him. 'Now, as Faulkland really purposed leaving V---- hall the next day, I think it would have been but decent in him to have forbore this piece of barefaced libertinism, till he was fairly from under _our_ roof. He might have made his assignation in any other place; but, I suppose, the lady had a mind to shew the world she is above restraint, and chose to make her infamy a sort of triumph. 'I am quite angry with my lord, for only laughing at this, and calling it a piece of spirited gallantry in them both. He says, he is delighted to think how your good man will shake his ears, when he hears his mistress has left him in the lurch, and gone off with another lover. I should smile too; but that it makes me sad to think, that Mr Faulkland, of whom I had so good an opinion, should so impose upon my judgment, and forfeit his own character, for so vile a creature. 'Pardon me, my dear madam; I am so full of my own reflections, on the interest _I_ take in this affair, that I have been forgetful of how much more moment it may be to _you_. Heaven grant that your husband may think of making himself amends, in returning to a faithful and amiable wife, for the loss of a deceitful, jilting mistress. Surely this event must open his eyes, or he deserves to lose them. I hope to embrace you in London in a very little time; till then, believe me, 'My dear Mrs Arnold, 'Your most assured friend and servant, _V---- hall, Nov. 12_ 'A.V.'