My mother then told him Mr Arnold was come to town; and that, as things had taken such a turn, she hoped herself to be able to bring him to the use of his judgment; and therefore thought it would not be at all necessary for my brother to interfere. Sir George said, With all his heart; if her ladyship should be able to patch up a reconciliation that would save his sister's credit, and she could be so _extremely_ pliant as to think of living with such a husband again, he should not give himself any farther trouble about the matter; but, in _his_ opinion, the affair wore a much odder aspect than it did before. I find Mr Faulkland's behaviour sticks with him, and has a little cooled his zeal towards him. _November 25_ I have had a letter from Patty, who confirms my Lady V----'s account of the lovers flight; and she tells me one of Mrs Gerrarde's servants is gone off express to town; I suppose, to bring Mr Arnold the news: for they are all in confusion at her house, and know not what is become of their mistress; but they are certain she is gone with Mr Faulkland. Patty adds, The servants believe this scheme had long been concerted, Mr Faulkland having been a private visitor to their mistress for a good while. I must confess I am astonished at it: it has sunk the man extremely in my opinion. _November 26_ Miss Burchell has just been here. Poor creature, she is quite stunned with the news: she could scarce believe it at first, till my mother desired I would shew her Lady V----'s letter, and Patty's, which corroborated all she said. She then gave way to tears and lamentations; saying, That cruel woman was born to be the destruction of every-body she had any connection with. _I_ have found it so; _you_, madam (to me), have done so too; Mr Arnold, I believe, has been a great sufferer; Mr Faulkland is _now_ her victim. Inconsiderate and barbarous as he is, I grieve for him. _November 30_ I have heard nothing of Mr Arnold. Indeed it is hardly possible that I should: we are shut up here from all commerce with the world. My mother's illness has confined her to her bed-chamber; we admit no visitors, and I never leave her. I long to know how he takes the ingratitude of his mistress; but I see nobody who converses with him. My brother and Miss Burchell are the only people we see. The latter is pretty often with us; as for Sir George, he only looks in upon us now and then, and we all seem in an aukward situation. I wish my mother were well enough to call on Mr Arnold: I am very anxious to know what his sentiments are; at least in regard to Mrs Gerrarde. _December 6_