Livy darling, I believed you would be sorry to have Lizzy’s trunk searched & was about to telegraph & ask you, when Lizzy asked that it be done. I was glad of that. She & I have had a sweltering morning’s work of it overhauling the whole linen closet & everything in the trunk room. It’s a real summer day.

I tried to make Lizzy confess that the “burglar” was her friend, but she stood it out. She could not deny that she let him out of the house very early one morning, & explained it in this way. She went or was sent for to the nursery one evening (it was later than he ought to have remained) & while she was gone the alarm was put on. She knew no other way to do than to leave him in her room all night & go herself & sleep with Mary. I’ve got to ask Mary if this is so.

I heard her through & then told her (as she was very anxious that she be not condemned without being heard & judged by you), that she might go out of the house & wait till you & I should talk together & then I would let her know our decision. I said her wages should continue till that decision was arrived at.

She will go this evening. My present purpose is to send Mary out of the house (on wages or not as you & I shall determine,) until we return. (Shall run over & consult Mrs. Perkins about this, in a few minutes.[)]

It is my idea to leave George in the house, either alone or with another colored man, as you think best. In that case I shall discharge the police officer.

I remembered having seen respectable German women with their husband & little children at Heublein’s1explanatory note more than once, so I laid no stress upon that point further than to say I thought the “friend” indiscreet to take her there.

I laid no stress anywhere except upon the fact of the friend being in the house all night before we went away & her not coming to explain it herself; that thing, & her offering him my billiard room so hospitably gave me an impression amounting almost to a certainty that the “friend” was the “burglar.” I said I wouldn’t allow a sweetheartⒶemendation of anybody’s in the house again except in the kitchen & then only when we were at home.

I gave Lizzie $5; she lent me 50 cents yesterday (which reduces that to $4.50.)

Lizzie has shed a good many tears this morning, but I told her I was not influenced by the malice of the other servants, but only by the facts, & she created them. She freely admitted that the facts had a bad look & that she alone was to blame for them.

I think you will agree with me that it will be best to discharge her, after a week or two. The fortnight will let the thing blow over to some extent & let her down easier than an immediate discharge. The latter course might destroy her. I shall tell her that now that she is out of the house she had better marry that man at once, else scandal will be busyⒶemendation with her name right away.

Well, I will run over & see Mrs. Perkins. I suppose I shall go to New York tomorrow, but if I had time I would like to see that friend & ask what he proposes to do about Lizzy. I don’t know but I will have her send him to me to-night.

I love you meine darling just as lov the same as what is.