Freely
translated, the letter read:
"'My Dear Old Bobby:
"'Here we are, safe and sound. And what can I say to you, friend of
friends? This last scrape was the worst of all; was it not? Worse
by far than the affairs with the little Italian, or the fat
Princess, eh, Bobby, my boy? Our heartfelt thanks to his Majesty,
God bless him! and to Lady Morley-Frere, and to your dear self--our
eternal love! Oh, Bobby, the thought of marrying that sour-visaged
cousin of mine makes me ill, even now! And yet--at the time, before
I told you--I felt myself slowly drifting into it. The ground
seemed to be slipping from under my feet, as it were. I felt wholly
lost--trapped, by Jove! She was very determined. We are here with
the Ambassador until the affair blows over. My sweetest Mary joins
me in love.
"'Ever your affectionate friend,
"'BENNEVILLE.'"
"A dirty low trick of that fellow Benneville, I must say," said Colonel
Manysnifters disgustedly. "That sort of thing could never have happened
in these days. Did they ever move the Darragh woman's picture out of the
room?" he asked.
"I believe so--some years later," replied Senator Hammond dryly; "in
fact, they were _all_ moved out, and hurried into the up-country for
safe-keeping.
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