CHAPTER NINE: Epilogue
A little later, the two girls and I, quite recovered from our exertions, met in Madame R's private room. I had handed Rose, with a request to give a part of it to Marie, a handsome present which I think it will be agreed she had fully earned. Discreetly, so that Evelyn and Nora might not notice it, I paid Madame R according to the terms that we had arranged, and then, seated in comfortable armchairs, we talked for a little before taking our leave.
'So the young ladies are pleased with the little visit they have paid us?' asked Madame.
'Quite, I think,' I answered, 'are you not, girls?'
'Oh, quite pleased,' said Evelyn.
'It has been absolutely delightful,' added Nora.
'I quite agree,' said I. 'Everything has gone off most successfully, you have, I think, had a decidedly pleasant time and have acquired much extremely useful knowledge, thanks to the excellent lessons of our charming little Rose; and who will profit by these lessons? Your husbands will later on when you are married!' They blushed prettily at the idea that one day they would have husbands of whom they would be able to make use, each according to her own taste.
'And besides,' I added, 'before you are married there are others who will benefit by your newly acquired science. These are the members of the Lesbian Society, to whom you will be able to impart much information which, but for you, they would never know.'
We took leave of the worthy Madame R, who, in her innermost heart, was delighted at the evident pleasure and gratitude of the two well-born young English flappers.
'Mascottes they entered my house and mascottes they leave it,' she whispered in my ear as she led us downstairs. 'And yet they have had some decidedly interesting experiences, the little dears!
Well, it has been an adventure which is altogether out of the common! At any rate it has been most profitable to my establishment!'
I took my two 'nieces' back to their school in a taxi and Madame X thanked me for having been good enough to escort them.
'Ah,' she said, 'if all guardians and visitors were so conscientious I should not be so anxious, I can assure you.'
'Madame,' I said, 'I was in charge of two precious young persons and when I undertake any responsibility I like to carry it through. So I can take Evelyn and her fiend Nora out again next week or, if I am not able to do that, when I next return to Paris?'
'Whenever you like, monsieur; I shall be only too pleased to entrust them to you, the dear children!' She looked affectionately at the girls and added: 'At this age they are so pure! Isn't it natural that one should do one's utmost to avoid the slightest stain on their innocence?
I bowed my agreement and with a last farewell to Evelyn and Nora, sad at our parting but smiling affectionately at me all the same, I made my way back to my hotel.