Gynecocracy

Maud gave a little cry. The language certainly profaned our loves.

"You must not use such words, Elise," she said. "Be sensible; he is my cousin. What is to be done?" and, looking at me, she added: "Never mind her, Julian."

"Never mind me! No, I dare say not; but you will mind Mademoiselle. Your cousin, indeed. Your husband, I think. It cannot be concealed. Impossible! You will have a baby. You will," she shrieked. "You will be disgraced. Where will it end? Mademoiselle to save herself will throw all the blame on me. However, I will have my revenge.

"Come along, Master Julian," rushing at me and seizing my wrists. "Come along to my room. I will hang you up and lash you till you are insensible."

"Oh, Maud!"

"Julian, Julian," said the dear girl throwing her arms about me; "no, no, she shan't take you; I will not have you cruelly used."

"Don't interfere, Miss Maud. He must come; he must not be found here. Put on that peignoir, and come along instantly."

I was paralysed with fright. I felt Maud was powerless.

At that moment the door opened and Mademoiselle appeared.

Elise stood speechless. Maud looked confused. I stood naked and did not know how to hide myself.

Mademoiselle had just returned from riding. She looked admirable in her riding costume which set off her superb figure to perfection. She stood holding up her habit with both hands, disclosing her dainty boots, and she looked round with an amused expression trying to take in the situation.

She gazed at Elise, at Maud, and then at me.

She was evidently in a good humour and in high spirits. She had been riding a young half-broken colt, and carried a heavy training whip-by no means the delicate little weapon she had made me acquainted with in her dressing room.

"Well, Elise," she said at length in her calm, clear voice, "what is Miss Julia doing here naked in Miss Maud's room? Come, I can see from your face there is something wrong; do not try to deceive me. You will not succeed and it will only be the worse for you!".

"If you please, Mademoiselle," began Elise, trying woefully to look as collected and unconcerned as possible, "Miss Maud required a model for a statue and came and begged me to allow Miss Julia to go to her studio for an hour. As Miss Julia had been well disciplined I thought there could be no objection."

"Her studio indeed; this is her bedroom. How came you to bring him in here, Maud?"

"Oh, he only came in here to undress," replied Maud, with a readiness which astonished me, but which unfortunately did not impose on Mademoiselle.

"His undressing seems to have caused you a vast amount of confusion," she rejoined in a dry tone, flourishing her whip. "However, we won't waste time," she ominously continued, gathering her skirts into her left hand: "I will teach him that he cannot be found in a young lady's bedroom naked-absolutely naked-with impunity, and I will teach you next, Miss Maud, that you should have had more modesty. Come," disengaging her right hand and arm. "You are just in the condition for being flogged, and I am in the mood, too."

"Oh, Mademoiselle-indeed-oh, pray-" cried I, frantic at the sight of the whip.

Mademoiselle's eyes flashed. Walking firmly up to the bed she directed Elise to put me across it.

"Oh, Mademoiselle, please, please," cried Maud, throwing herself at the governess's feet and clasping and wringing her own hands, "please do not punish Julian; it was not his fault-I brought him here-"

"Hold your tongue, Miss. You won't escape, I can promise you; now, Elise!"

Elise dragged me, struggling, to the side of the bed at which Mademoiselle was standing and tried to push me over it, face downwards. I sobbed and resisted frantically. "Hallo!" said Mademoiselle, her attention directed to the couch. "Where is the coverlet-and the bed is disarranged, too! However, one thing at a time."

Elise, without answering, redoubled her efforts. To cover the condition of the bed, by making it worse, was, I believe, her real intention; but, ostensibly for the purpose of getting me into position, she scrambled on to the top of me and slipped off at the other side, leaning heavily over my shoulders and holding my arms with all her strength.

"Put his head between your knees, Elise," ordered Mademoiselle, striking me with the whip.

Elise tried to catch my head between them, outside her petticoats. "No," reiterated Mademoiselle, "underneath your skirts."

Elise dived with one hand for the ends of her garments, slipped my head under them, and soon had it fast between her warm legs higher up than her knees.

As I have before had occasion to remark, a woman's whole strength lies in her thighs. Elise needed all hers to hold me as probably Mademoiselle knew.

"Now for being found naked in a young lady's bedroom you shall receive twenty-five lashes, Miss Julia."

"Yah, yah, yell, yell!" I turned and twisted. I writhed and tried to bite Elise. Like red hot iron over my bottom, my legs, and my back, Mademoiselle rained the blows with slow even regularity and merciless force.