Two Flappers In Paris

CHAPTER TWO: A High-Class Maison Close

That same afternoon, having no official business to attend to till the following morning, I made my way to the most famous of all the Parisian brothels-that kept by Madame R in the rue Ch-. I had made up my mind to put my plan into operation as quickly as possible, for I was afraid that Evelyn might, either of her own accord, or after consultation with Nora, change her mind. La donna e mobile! .

as the old song says.

I was shown into the private boudoir of the good lady of the house, whom I had known well for some years; and I am in no way boasting when I say that I was received with open arms, both by her and my little acquaintance, Rose, the prettiest, gayest and most attractive inmate of the whole house, who knew me, and used to introduce me to her friends, by the name of Monsieur Quatrefois, because, excited by her charms, I had accomplished with her four times in little more than one hour what many husbands take four weeks to achieve with their wives. Rose had been educated at a good school in England and spoke our language better than almost any other foreigner that I have ever met She used always to prefer speaking English with me though I am a good French scholar and enjoy conversing in that musical and prolific language that gives a soul to the objects of sense and a body to the abstractions of philosophy.

When I had satisfied the insatiable curiosity of Rose and answered her numerous questions, I proceeded to explain to Madame R the main object of my visit.

'My dear lady,' I said, 'I have had the most extraordinary piece of good fortune. I have made the acquaintance of two young maidens, two little flappers who are absolutely fresh and innocent, and I have promised to bring them to your house and to let them see some of your interesting cinema films.' I then explained to Madame what had happened on the boat. At first she raised loud objections, the adventure seemed to her altogether too risky, but after further discussion, and influenced no doubt by the liberal terms I offered, she began to change her tone and finally agreed to assist in the carrying out of my plan, laying down, however, one condition as indispensable-that the maidenheads of the young ladies should not be tampered with. This she considered necessary in view of possible subsequent troubles; as for anything else, to use her own strong expression, 'elle s'en battait l'oeil', which being interpreted means that she didn't care a fig. This having been agreed to we proceeded to arrange the programme of the little entertainment which I was organising for my two charming novices. . and for myself.

In the first place it was settled that we should visit the cinema-room, where should be displayed to us one of the most interesting films of Madame's collection The Devil in Hell of Boccaccio.

The picture could be repeated so that they might become thoroughly acquainted with every detail.

Then we were to visit the drawing-room and the ladies of the house would be presented to us.

I knew them all and how carefully and well they had been trained by Madame, and as nothing is more like a real lady than a stylish demi-mondaine, I was certain that nothing would be done to shock my two flappers. Anything that the girls of the house might do, in connivance with me, would seem to them some mysterious rite at last disclosed to their ardent curiosity and which they would be most interested to watch.

Next, taking Rose with us to act as instructor in certain particulars, we were to visit first the whipping-room, and then the room of the chair of pleasure.

In each of these rooms Rose and I would explain by word and action the use of the room, and of the instrument and furniture to be found there: and as I thought over this part of the programme entertained the hope that Evelyn and Nora might themselves be induced to experience the sensations which Rose and I were describing to them.

I left the house, this time without having paid my homage to the charms of Rose who, like a thoughtful girl, advised me to keep all my powers in reserve, as when I visited the establishment with my little friends, they would certainly be taxed to the utmost. Early the next morning I made my way from the Hotel Meurice, where I had put up, to the English Embassy and transacted the most pressing part of the business which had brought me to Paris. I took advantage of being there to write a note to Evelyn on the official paper, offering to take her out with me that same afternoon, and saying that I should be glad to see one of her companions with her if she cared to bring one. I signed myself Uncle Jack and gave the address of my hotel. I then dispatched the note by a special messenger.

By midday I received a wire in reply at my hotel from my 'niece' informing me that she would be delighted to be taken out and that she would be accompanied by her friend Nora.

I could not help rubbing my hands with pleasure. Events were proceeding just as Evelyn and I had anticipated. The gods were evidently on our side!

I at once secured a taxi and set out for the school, where I was most cordially received by Madame X. She apologised for having to put in force her rule with regard to not allowing any one of her girls to go out alone with a gentleman, and informed me that her two young pupils were dressing and would be ready almost immediately.

In a few moments they appeared, delightfully dressed and quite rosy with emotion at the idea of this outing which, as Evelyn said, was all the more welcome as it was so entirely unexpected.

I thought it was decidedly unwise to prolong the interview with Madame, who might easily have asked some awkward question, so said dial we would start at once. I directed my chauffeur to drive us to the Cafe Americain.

It was a lovely day, such as one often has in Paris in the month of October. The terrace of the famous cafe was crowded with people but we managed to find three seats and at once I could not fail to notice that the beauty, the grace, the youth, and the charming get-up of my two companions attracted the eyes of all who were present.

And this admiration was indeed well deserved. I have already given a description of Evelyn. I have noted her beautiful dark eyes and hair, the delicacy of her features, the ease and elegance of her carriage and the aristocratic small-ness of her hands and feet. She was wearing a charming crepe de Chine frock of light pink colour, with a broad crimson sash round her waist, and a pretty bow of the same material at the end of her splendid pigtail. The blouse, which had a small sailor collar, and the fronts and pocket of which were ornamented with hemstitching, was decidedly open in front, thus allowing a glimpse to be obtained of her lovely little budding breasts. A sailor hat, in silk beaver with folded crown and finished with silk petersham, set off the beauty of her hair and eyes to perfection.

The skirt was just pleasantly

short, allowing one to see the beginning of a beautifully shaped pair of legs encased in open-work black silk stockings, the feet being shod in a dainty pair of high-heeled French shoes.

Nora, as I have said, was fair: of that delightful fairness which one so often comes across in the North of Ireland. Her eyes were a lovely deep blue, her nose small, her nostrils palpitating and sensual, while a rosy-lipped little mouth permitted one to see two perfect rows of pearly-white teeth.

Such were the chief features of Nora's really lovely face. Do not, however, let it be supposed for a moment that she was in the least doll-like! Far from it! She was remarkably lively and gay, and had a most winning and attractive smile, and as I think of her I recall to myself the opening words of the old song of Tralee:

She was lovely and fair like the rose in midsummer, Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me!

She was wearing a pretty dress of light blue cotton voile, with a blue sash to match and a blue ribbon at the end of her pigtail, which I noticed was even longer and thicker than Evelyn's, as the latter had told me. Light blue stockings, a pair of high-heeled brown shoes and a becoming straw hat completed a most charming costume such as you may see so often on Children's Day at Ranelagh, or at Lords on the day of the Eton and Harrow match.

We did not stay long on the terrace but mounted to the restaurant on the first floor, the girls being much amused at the number of mirrors that decorated the staircase. There we enjoyed a most excellent lunch and consumed between us a bottle and a half of champagne.

Evelyn and Nora had become quite merry and their colour had risen, so I thought that the rime had now come to speak of what, no doubt, was in the minds of all of us.