So it seems to me. But the story is not quite at an end. Marit was to be at the disposal of the Signore last night and Mr. Bowler was then to leave us. It seems that he had already made certain arrangements for her. One day the world will know what they are. At present, her family is informed that Marit's education is to be extended by an excursion of a few months in the Near East! I think you guess my meaning, do you not? Shortly before Mr. Bowler left here, a carriage arrived at the door with a pair of the most strapping brutes as coachmen. I heard raised voices from Marit's room, the girl herself shrill above the others. Then there was silence. Down the stairs came the two strapping fellows with Mr. Bowler following. One of them had a sack over his shoulder, its contents mewling and wriggling with vain energy. I do believe you might have recognised the fellow who carried it! At the door, Mr. Bowler watched them put the sack in the boot of the vehicle and lock the lid. He did not, I think, realise that I was standing in the vestibule where I could see and hear him. “See that you deliver her quickly to Pasha Ahmed,” he said to one of the two coachmen. “Believe me, the reward he will give you may be enough to set up the pair of you for life. Leave the straps and the gag in place until you have her safely on the ship at Livorno. The diplomatic passports from the Signore will ensure that you have no difficulty with the Italian officials. Moreover, the captain of the customs post has been well paid to prevent trouble.”
With that he nodded and the carriage drove off. It will not altogether surprise you, dear cousin, to learn that I have seen nothing of Marit since that moment! I do not complain, of course, for I greatly enjoy imagining what lies in store for the young beauty at her destination! I eel quite certain that she will soon be made to acquaint herself in the most intimate manner with Julie and Sian. A little compulsion will work wonders in overcoming any false reticence.
Mr. Bowler meantime travels towards England. I look forward so much to hearing from him that your own health and moral equilibrium are quite restored. If you should feel the need of a mentor and guide in certain matters, dear Gussie, you may depend upon him. He is devoted to our family and its welfare-as he ought to be when you consider what has been done for him. A magistrate and soon to be a Member of Parliament! Yet he is a man of great good-nature and works for mere love. If then you should feel any more “strange inclinations” towards sluts and tarts of the shopgirl kind, I beg you will seek his advice. He will cure you of mooning romance for the young whores by methods more agreeable-and a sight cheaper-than those of Dr. Raspail! I may take a short trip to the Levant myself, ere long. If so, my love, you shall hear every detail from your adoring cousin, Maude Anonymous Augustus and Lady Maude XVI. Augustus to Lady Maude Wight, 12 July a.m. My Dearest, I have emerged triumphant from all the ordeals and trials of the past week or two. When Julie was abducted under my very gaze, I was half distracted for at least forty-eight hours and my nerves in a state which I hesitate to describe. Nothing would console me then. Yet now I see it was all for the best and am glad that Julie as well as Sian has been taken to a place where she may receive her reward! I see that you were right after all. The little bitch was merely leading me on to make a fool of myself. She would have left me disgraced as well as penniless. I regret only, my dear, that I did not heed your advice from the first. Perhaps it surprises you to see me write in this way. The careless impetuous boy, you say to yourself. How can he have undergone a change of heart so rapidly? The answer is simple, my dear Maude. I know that I never really loved Julie. It was an intense but passing infatuation, as you supposed. I know it the more certainly because now I have fallen truly in love for the first time in my life.
Who is she? Who is to be your very own cousin by marriage? Listen and congratulate me on my choice. She is no easy trollop but a girl who returns hard and disdainful looks to a man's adoration. I am sure she must be a pattern of virtue, to judge by her reactions. Her name is Maggie and she has the most adorable flaxen hair which she wears loose to her shoulders, like a little girl, although she must be twenty-two or twenty-three-years old. Under the fringe of her hair, there is a hard and resolute look to her blue eyes and the fair-skinned oval of her face. I know you will approve my choice when I tell you that she is one of the Bowler girls. I do not mean by that to say that she is a member of our friend's immediate family but rather that she is employed by him in his emporia, which must surely be a guarantee of her respectability. I can scarcely calculate how many happy hours I have spent watching Maggie at her toils as she lays out the polished saddles and horse furniture in an elegant display. For such a task she is naturally accoutred in the close denim fit of riding-jeans, which enables one to admire her somewhat stocky thighs and slightly broadened bum-cheeks. The soft lilt of her voice is a match for her coltish figure and though I grant you she appears a little more vulgarly attired than a fine lady might, this is only the result of Mag's occupation. I beg you, dear Maude. Write and tell me that you approve my choice. You shall see Maggie yourself as soon as you return to England. I know you will soon adore her as I do.
Though I have not yet had the chance of an intimate conversation with her to plead my case, I am in no doubt. My ardour will surely carry the day. Be sure that when I am successful, you shall be the first to hear of it. Your happiest of cousins, Augustus 120 Anonymous Augustus and Lady Maude XVII. Lady Maude to Mr. Bowler Lago di Garda, 14 July By Express My dear Friend, I write to you in great urgency and some distress, begging you to be of service to me in the crisis which threatens all our happiness. The subject of my concern is that unfortunate young man, my cousin. When his attachment to that little tart Julie was broken off, I quite hoped that Lord Augustus was cured of infatuations with grisettes of their kind. Alas! How I was mistaken! I have received from him this morning a letter which makes plain that the wretched little Julie has been replaced in his affections by a sturdy young wench, a blonde by the name of Maggie or “Mag.” I would not, even so, trespass on your time and charity if the matter ended there. No, my friend, this time it is true love and marriage is talked of. He must be stopped at all costs! His letter informs me, moreover, that Maggie is one of your own work-girls. It is for that reason that I now beg your assistance. The method of rescue to be employed must be left to your own excellent judgment and natural ingenuity. It would not do to dismiss the girl from her employment, for then she will fall straight into his hands. Means must be found to eradicate his infatuation and that will be more easily accomplished while she remains in your absolute power. I cannot tell you how much I regret imposing on you in this affair. I only hope that you will believe me when I assure you that whatever efforts are possible on behalf of our family shall not go unrewarded. What it is in my own power to do for you, I shall of course do. If it would amuse you to be visitor and trustee of the Greystones Reformatory for young women-offering many curious opportunities to a man of disciplinary zeal-I will speak to the board of guardians at once. My uncle, you know, holds supreme power there. If it would please you to be returned as Member of Parliament for the county, I can assure you of the Tory nomination at the next election, as a matter of family gratitude.