The newcomer was a woman of about twenty-five, rather above the middle stature, of slender make, a complexion delicately fair, hair of a golden tint, and large blue eyes, which beamed with such an expression of voluptuousness as could not fail to convince the gazer that she had no particle of nun's flesh in her composition.
A person more calculated to excite jealousy in the bosom of my gentle Bessy fortune could not have thrown in my way, and as we were frequently together I had soon the satisfaction to discover an uneasy watchfulness disturbing my charmer at every little attention I paid the other, who being of a lively disposition laughingly admitted freedoms which, though harmless in themselves, would have covered the cheeks of Bessy with crimson blushes. A game at romps delighted my fair neighbour, and when I had passed my arm around her waist, playfully tickling her under her arms, convulsed with laughter, she would seize me in her arms and repay me in my own coin, till each obstinately resolved to conquer, and overcome by the violence of our merriment, locked in each other's arms would sink upon the carpet till nature was unable to endure the pleasing though maddening sensation longer; laughter would change to a shriek, which was considered as the signal of defeat and our game was, for a time, suspended.
Bessy would take no part in these amusements, and when she sometimes did attempt a laugh her eyes would plainly tell her discontent; and often have I seen her bite her coral lips in order to conceal her too evident vexation.
To those who have been in the habit of indulging in pastimes such as those I have been describing I need not say that in the pleasing agony of excessive laughter we cannot at all times command our actions; the hands will, even without intention, sometimes wander where strict propriety would at other periods forbid their approach; this was the case with myself and frolicsome companion, whose full breasts would often during her playful struggles escape from their confinement, and I have hid my face between two snowy orbs whose warmth, plumpness, and rose-red nipples might have seduced an anchorite; yet so firmly were my affections fixed upon my beauteous landlady that I never for a moment entertained an idea of improving the advantages daily offered by my wanton playfellow. But man is frail, the flesh is often
stronger than the spirit. Who can at all times answer for himself? Not I, for one; I tell a plain unvarnished tale and seek not here to vaunt my strength or to conceal my weakness.
Although I certainly endeavoured to provoke the jealousy of Bessy by means of her new acquaintance, I never intended to give her other than imaginary cause; and but for her own obstinacy in withholding so long from me the food for which my soul was famishing, my intimacy with Emma would have ended quite as innocently as it began.
Let me not anticipate, but proceed with my story. I had for some days observed that poor Bessy had become more than usually serious; I sometimes could perceive the trace of tears, while her behaviour towards me became restrained and cold. I readily assigned a cause for this, not by any means unfavourable to myself; and opening her door one morning without knocking I beheld her seated in a most desponding attitude; her elbows were resting on the table while her face was concealed by her hands.
I immediately took a chair and placed it by her side, where being seated I begged to be made acquainted with the occasion of her grief; she raised her head, and, in accents that thrilled my soul, replied,
"Why do you desire to know, since you have ceased to feel the interest you once possessed for my happiness!"
I took her hand, and passing one arm around her waist, begged she would explain her meaning.
She mildly yet sorrowfully continued, "Yet why should I repine at what should really be a source of pleasure? I acknowledge Emma possesses attractions far superior to any I can boast, and perhaps is far less scrupulous. I was foolish to indulge a hope that your friendship would continue, and-"
I interrupted her: "Friendship! Oh, dearest girl, do not insult my love by giving it so cold a name. Emma! By heavens! I swear I never for a moment have entertained a thought or breathed a sentence to her that you could ere condemn; the little familiarities that have passed between us shall be forever discontinued, nay, never should have been indulged, could I have imagined they would have caused a sigh to you, my dearest, best, my only love."
She looked me in the face with a smile so sweet that, unable to control my feelings, I pressed her to my heart and stole a kiss from her pouting lips, which the dear girl returned; a sigh that seemed to rend her bosom in its passage burst from her throbbing heart, and giving vent to her excited feelings she whispered, "Oh heaven! why is it criminal to love as I do?"
Then, confused and blushing at having suffered the tender avowal to escape her, she threw her arms round my neck and hid her face upon my bosom. Unable to control my feelings at this blissful moment, I drew the senseless fair one closer to my heart, covering her lips and neck with kisses; while she, unconscious of my daring, reclined upon my breast.
Unable to control the impetuous feeling that pervaded my enraptured soul, I bore the fainting beauty to the couch and spear in hand was preparing for the last grand rite due to my mysterious love, when suddenly thought and strength returned and in a moment, perceiving the advantages I had gained during her trance, and feeling the extent of her danger, at the moment when I thought my prize secure, and when it appeared that nothing short of a miracle could have prevented me from winning the long sought for victory, with an herculean bound she thrust me from her, in another moment regained her feet, and ere I could recover from my surprise, with a look that would baffle all description, she struck me furiously upon the breast, and without uttering a word, with one great effort propelled me from the room, and secured the door.
For a moment I stood without sense or motion, being for a time perfectly stupefied; the events of the last hour seemed but as a disagreeable dream. After some short time spent in reflection, enraged, mortified and disappointed, I resolved that I would never see her more; and, with feelings almost amounting to hatred for the whole sex, I sought my chamber; but so great was my agitation, my hand trembled so violently, that the door resisted every attempt made by me to open it.
While vainly endeavouring to gain admission to my own apartment, Emma's door, which as I have before stated was opposite to mine, unclosed; fearing she would notice the trepidation I was in and ashamed of my own weakness I exclaimed in a peevish manner, "D-n the keys!"
"Oh, do not swear!" whispered Emma in a tone of playful reproach as I turned towards her.
The events of the morning had left a flush upon my face which I feared might betray me, more particularly when she anxiously enquired if I was unwell; I was rather confused for an instant, but quickly recovering my self-possession, answered carelessly, "I have been rather vexed this morning; something unpleasant has occurred. But no matter, a glass of brandy and water will speedily set all to rights."
And being now sufficiently cool, in order to give a colour to my words, unlocked my door and taking a decanter containing brandy from the sideboard I entered her room to request the favor of some hot water.
She cheerfully complied and begged me to be seated; her lively conversation, together with the invigorating fluid-of which I took copious draughts with the view of rallying my troubled spirits-soon succeeded in banishing my chagrin for the disappointment I had so recently experienced; and as I gazed upon my fair and laughing companion beheld beauties which had hitherto escaped my notice.
The weather being warm, her breasts, which I have before described as very beautiful, were partially uncovered; in fact, being early in the day, she was altogether loosely clad, and as our eyes met during the intervals of toying, I observed such a peculiar expression of voluptuous languor beaming from hers, as almost seemed to chide my diffidence and challenge me to acts of amorous daring.
Made bolder by this pleasing thought, I seized her in my arms, covered her lips, cheeks, and eyes with kisses; and, watching an opportunity, boldly placed my hand upon her snowy bosom and softly fingered one of the rosy nipples.
She evinced no signs of anger at my temerity but submitted to my freedoms with an approving smile and returned each glowing kiss with interest. I drew my chair still closer and taking her on my knee passed my hand into the opening of her loose peignoir and pushed an amorous finger into the charming cleft that smiled between her now parted thighs.
Perfectly satisfied that she could no longer be insensible to the powerful interest her magic touch had conjured up, I was preparing to improve my already very favourable situation, when suddenly she started from my embrace and fled towards the door.
Surprised, and apprehensive of a second disappointment, I was about to pursue her-but no, she sought not to escape, but with becoming caution secured the door that no officious intruder might interrupt our converse. Returning then she clasped me round the neck and letting her head fall gently on my shoulder, whispered, "My dearest love, do not betray my weakness, for should my husband ever suspect me to be guilty of such folly it would be fatal to us both."
I answered only with an ardent kiss, and dismissing the boot-clicker from my thoughts, slipped my charmer's solitary garment to the floor and laid her naked upon the marital bed. Arrived in this convenient position she at once opened her legs to their utmost extent and locking them round my back drove the whole length of her rosy tongue into my mouth, at the same time seizing my weapon in her hand and bringing the nest to bear upon the exact spot where entrance was to be effected. A couple of sturdy strokes on my part and a deliriously responsive heave, accompanied by a low cry of delight on hers, and behold us in the very thick of love's glorious struggle!
The ecstatic joy with which the fair Emma received the prolonged and systematic futtering I was privileged to administer tended to the impression that with all his skill in the art of boot-clicking-whatever that mysterious branch of the shoe trade may be-the lawful owner of the pretty, naked girl who lay beneath me could hardly expect to be "classed" at a stallion show! Indeed, as she afterwards confessed to me, though the high wages paid to the respected clicker enabled him to provide his (vastly) better half with a sufficiency of the staff of life, the supply of the staff of love- in her eyes an equally important commodity — was ridiculously inadequate to meet the strain put upon it by the lascivious requirements of his lustful little wife.
In the matter of love, therefore, she was fairly starving, and her gratitude for the ample feast I had been able to afford her was expressed in no measured terms. At last, however, came the inevitable moment when the commissariat began to fail, and the once upright source of her gratification to hang his dejected head. Unsated, and insatiable, she cried to me to know if there was nothing she could do to procure the renewal of her past happiness.
After a moment's hesitation I determine to speak to her of the delicious practice to which I had been introduced by the sixteen-year-old daughter of the fishmonger. She begged for details. I gave them. Her eyes sparkled at the recital, her golden head bent lower and lower, and in an instant the rich red mouth had gathered my weapon into its velvet depths. At its contact with her tongue she became as one possessed, and when at my suggestion she shifted her position so as to enable me to reciprocate her attentions, her erotic fury as my lips touched her furrow became ungovernable, and before either of us could withdraw the sluice-gates of our being were unlocked and a mighty stream of love passed in spasms of delight down each willing throat.
This delightful pastime (to which, be it said, I became from thenceforth an eager and passionate devotee) is known to its French amateurs as "la belle gamahuche"-a sufficiently expressive term for a most exquisitely lascivious practice. As for Emma, her appreciation of the novelty knew no bounds, and on no single occasion of our meeting did she omit to fill her amorous mouth from throat to lips with the dainty she loved so well.
Now Emma was a veritable epicure in the matter of salacious pleasures; and so, my beloved lady readers, verb, sap.; mark, learn and above all, inwardly digest!
In very truth I pity the man who has never had an opportunity of exploring the magnificent avenues which abound in the vicinity of the ever-blooming gardens of the all-powerful god of love, through the intricacies of which I fondly imagine myself to be now walking with Emma; presently I approach a grove of thickest foliage, surrounding the superb sanctuary sacred to Venus-that multiplying, everlasting shrine, which has existed from the creation of the world and will endure until the end of time; that mysterious edifice which is no sooner perfected and Cupid's altar-piece erected in the centre (at which good men ne'er sacrifice in vain), than in its secret recesses are engendered new temples, new altar-pieces, small and portable, yet miniature models of its faultless self, composed of such flexible and rare materials that in a few years they become so spacious and extensive as to vie with the great original in symmetry and beauty.
The whole of the ensuing day my Bessy kept within her room, and although I would have given one of my hands to see her and implore forgiveness, I still determined to conceal my weakness from her; I consequently assumed an unusual flow of spirits, singing the most sprightly songs and playing only lively and mirth-inspiring tunes, while at intervals my lovely neighbour, delighted with the jocund tales I recounted, made the house re-echo with her laughter.
Early the next morning Emma rapped at my door, to request that I would allow her to speak with me before I went out; I answered, loud enough to be heard below, "Certainly, and if agreeable, I intend to breakfast with you.
Having answered that she would be most happy to receive me, she sought her own apartment in order to make the necessary preparations.
I arose, and having completed my toilet proceeded to join Emma at the breakfast table when she informed me with a look of peculiar archness that her husband had that morning started for the country, by the order of his employer, to wait upon an extensive customer and the distance he had to travel would preclude the possibility of his returning before the following evening; playfully adding, "I don't know what will be the consequence, for I am not in the habit of sleeping alone and am dreadfully afraid of solitude."
I assured her that she need be under no alarm on that account.
"Depend upon it, my girl, it will be your own fault should you take cold for the want of a companion. Only forget to lock your door and leave the rest to me."
"No," she replied, "you must not think of attempting to come here tonight; recollect that my room is exactly over the one occupied by Mr. and Mrs. E.; they would be sure to hear you and what then would be the consequence? E. is such a malicious brute that he would certainly acquaint my husband, in which case I would not give twopence for either of our lives."
"Well, well, but listen; depend on it I will use every precaution; he must have ears like the very devil should he discover the sound of my footsteps, for 'Light as down, when borne on zephyrs' wings, I'll fly to meet my love!' "
"Softly, my dear, suppose you should elude the ears of Mr. E., the eye of Jealousy is ever watchful, its ear forever open."
"Jealousy! What mean you?"
"Oh, Mister Innocent, do you believe that I have never noticed your attentions to our modest landlady, that I have never marked her stolen glances?"
"Come, come, give over this idle jesting. I think of Mrs. E.! When you are by, the woman's affable, obliging, and all that; I respect her; certainly, but as for more-pshaw! Besides the little brown jade is a very dragon of virtue and loves her little toad of a husband better than any other man on earth."
"Except yourself," interrupted Emma. "Well, never mind, you shall have it all your own way; but this I will say-and woman's knowledge in such things is generally pretty clear and what I say I know to be the case-that whether you love her or not, she absolutely doats on you, adores the ground you walk on."
"Nonsense; I begin to think that you are slightly tinted with the yellow monster yourself. Let's change the subject."
"Well, as you like; but remember, keep it close as you will, in spite of your utmost caution, if she don't soon betray herself, my name is not Emma S."
Breakfast being over, I took leave of her for the day, having several engagements that could not be postponed, saying as I departed, "Don't forget, it is all settled; and by this kiss, Emma, here do I lodge tonight!"