I own to you, Sir George, in the first motions of my rage, I could have stabbed Arnold, Mrs Gerrarde, and myself; but my Lord V---- calmed my transports, by telling me, that it was your sister's earnest request that this detestable secret should be kept from my knowlege; and that Lady V----, who had intrusted him with it, would never forgive him, if she knew he had divulged it. This reflection brought me back to my senses, and I burned with impatience to execute my first plan, which Mrs Gerrarde's repeated crimes now called upon me to accelerate. I communicated my design to Lord V----, who was delighted with it; for he perfectly adores your sister. This, said he, though not such a vengeance as that wicked woman deserves, must in the end be productive of what you wish, and Mrs Arnold may be restored to her peace, without injury to her character, or mischief to any-body.
Having settled my measures with Lord V----, I went to pay a visit to Mrs Gerrarde. The cockatrice affected to speak with surprize and concern of your sister's separation from her husband. I asked her, had she, who was so intimate with both, heard any reason assigned for it? She shook her head, and by a pretended sorrow in her looks, and a mysterious silence, invited me to press for an explanation of her meaning. She told me at length, with a seeming reluctance, that 'poor Mrs Arnold, though to be sure she was a sensible woman, was not without the little frailties and passions of her sex; and that, _astonishing_ and _groundless_ as her suspicions were, she had taken it into her head to be jealous of Mr Arnold; and with whom do you think, of all people, she suspects him?' I cannot imagine, said I. Why truly with _me_, replied the undaunted Jezebel, and looked as if she expected _I_ should be as much amazed as she pretended to be. I affected to laugh at it; and changing the discourse, put an end to my visit.
The measures I had to observe required some management. It would not answer the full extent of my purpose to rob Mr Arnold of his dear, if it did not appear at the same time that she had left him with her own consent. To bring about this, it was necessary that the flight on her part should seem premeditated; which would not carry any face, unless she took with her such of her moveables as were most valuable. This I knew could not be done without the assistance of her maid, whom I therefore not only resolved to trust, but also to make her a partner in her mistress's elopement.