The days passed slowly by, but as each one went I felt that I was nearer by so much to my liberation-as I viewed the reopening of school.
Several weeks had gone by without my having received an invitation from Rutherford to come and stay with him, so I began to lose hope of a respite from this source, and determined not to dwell upon it in anticipation in order to avoid a possible disappointment.
One morning in the fourth week, however, I received a letter from de Beaupre, written from London, to say that in three days from that date he was returning to Paris, and asking if I could get permission to go with him and finish my holidays there. He explained that Jimmy could not accompany him, his mother wishing to have him with her, and as he was most anxious to have a chum to keep him company, he: would be very glad if I could come.
It was a long letter, written in a very lively style, and went on to recount some of his doings during the holidays.
"I've had some fine times with my mother's maid, Mignon," he wrote. "She's a ripping girl! She helps me to dress, and so on, as my mother won't get a manservant for me yet, thinking the maid can do all I want. I don't mind a bit, as you may suppose. Mignon brings up a cup of coffee in the morning, and we always have a lark together then. She used to start by tickling my feet, but she soon got more daring, and would pull the clothes off and pinch my legs. Then, when I have my bath she comes into wash me, as she says I am not big enough to do it properly myself yet. Somehow, my cock is always stiff at these times but at first she would never say anything, but just went on soaping and sponging me. She was very fond, however, of touching me between the legs and having a little feel. Naturally, every time she did this it made me laugh. I let her see plainly that I wasn't an innocent, and before long she got into the way of taking hold of my thing and stroking it. Then she boldened, and one day gave it a kiss. This fairly set me off and I asked her to do it again. She wasn't the least bit bashful, and, since then I enjoy myself all right with her, I can assure you. She's got a fine-shaped cunt just the right size, not too big, and with plenty of hair. She won't let me do too much to her though, as she says she has to be very careful. She has got a lover, who is frightfully jealous, and she told me he would make a fearful row if he thought she had anything to do with another person. So I only use my fingers on her now and again. She wouldn't have me get into her, as she says she doesn't care about it that way much and even a boy like me might do some damage. She has hinted several times that I should give her a suck, but I have never done so; she's a very decent sort but I don't quite think that I could bring myself to do that with her. I don't mind doing it to Cecile, but she is different.. By the way, if you come with me, as I hope you will, I shall find a chance to introduce you to her. I know you will like her immensely.
"Now, be sure and come! And let me know at once. I have got my mother to write to your father, so he can't very well refuse."
I felt a different being after I had read this letter, and my hopes rose at once to the highest point. I waited eagerly to hear my father's decision, which was the only thing now that stood in my way. At lunch-time, I watched his face narrowly, and I remained in a fever of excitement through the protracted meal. But at its conclusion, Jimmy my father sent for Mrs. Denison.
"I've just had a letter," he said, when she had entered, "from the Princesse de Beaupre, mother of one of Master Charles' fellow pupils, asking me to allow him to spend the remainder of the holidays with her son.. He is to be in London on Thursday next. Here is the princess' letter! Will you please make all the necessary arrangements?"
I was overjoyed, and began to pour out my thanks, but my father waved me coldly aside and left the room.
The succeeding days I spent in the greatest impatience and I must have proved a considerable source of worry to Mrs. Denison; but she, good soul! never murmured and took the greatest pains in making the necessary preparations for my visit.
The eventful morning came at last Saunders drove me to the station in the dog-cart and I was soon on my way to London. De Beaupre was at the terminus to meet me, and we greeted each other in the heartiest manner possible. A brougham was awaiting us and as soon as my traps had been collected and put on board, we started off to the house in Hill Street which his mother had taken for the season. He had lots to tell me, and rattled away in his best style until we got to the door. His mother was in and he took me straight to her. She was a tall and stately woman, with a very kind manner and at once put me at my ease.
"Gaston has often spoken of you, and I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I am so glad he has made such charming friends. He tells me that you and the little Duke of Surrey and a boy named Rutherford are his principal companions. I know the little duke very well already, and think him a most engaging lad; and I am sure I shall soon be able to say the same of you when we know each other a little more." Arrangements had been made for us to leave by the night-mail, and cross the Channel from Dover. It was fine weather, and I stayed on deck most of the time with Gaston, who was eager to relate how he had been passing the holidays up to now.
"I was down in the country with Jimmy for nearly a fortnight, "he said. "We had an awfully good time. They always put me up in the same room with him when I go there, so you can guess we had some lively games. It wasn't quite so good as the old dormitory for we missed you and Rutherford very much, but we did the best we could. It was beastly rot, Lord Henry being away from England, wasn't it? But I dare say we will have a chance to go there someday. It will be awfully jolly, if we do. I haven't had very much to do with Lord Henry, but I've seen enough of him to know that he's a real good sort. Jimmy and I often used to talk about you. We knew you would not be having much fun, and we would put our heads together to make up some plan for you. We had expected Rutherford would be having you with him, but he seems to be staying longer than he expected up in Scotland. When I heard from him last and found he hadn't been able to send you an invitation, I made up my mind that I would ask you to come with me and I spoke to my mother, who agreed at once."
"It was awfully good of you, Blackie!" I exclaimed, gratefully. "I've been grubbing along in a rotten way at Woodbury, with nobody to talk to, and.I can tell you! I was looking forward to going back to school again."
"Well, you needn't look forward quite so eagerly now," he continued, "as I think I can promise you some enjoyment before we do return. As I told you in my letter, I expected Jimmy would be coming as well. But at the last minute his mother was very anxious for him to stay with her, as she was expecting a visit from some very old friends, whom she wished Jimmy to meet, so that meant I had to leave him behind. He was a bit sick, but what can't be cured must be endured, as they say. Anyhow, we had some fun while we were together. I shall have to tell you all about how we carried on. The last night, especially, we had a rare set-to, and I fairly made his bottom sore for him; he was so tired the next morning I had the greatest difficulty inducing him to get up."
We arrived at Paris in the morning, and a carriage met us at the Gare du Nord. We drove straight to the Beaupre mansion in the Faubourg Saint-Germain, known as the Hotel Foix, and one of the few grand residences still retained by their ancient owners in that historic locality. Here I made acquaintance with Gaston's father, the Prince de Beaupre, who saluted me cordially. He was a man of about fifty, of prepossessing appearance, his hair tinged with grey. He had a very affable manner, but I gathered the impression that he was quite a second person to his wife in the establishment. In this I was not mistaken. The princess was the ruler of the menage, and the prince filled a more or less decorative position as her husband. He was always present when occasion required, but otherwise he resigned the reins to his better half. On the whole each went their own way and followed their own pursuits. The arrangement worked admirably, insomuch that they were a model pair at the times when they were together.
The French capital pleased me greatly, and de Beaupre diligently took me round to see all the sights. Notre Dame, the Jardin, des Plantes, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, all came in for a share of my admiration; and I was not less interested in the varied sights of the streets, so strange to the country- bred Englishman. Gaston was given full charge of me and I spent almost the whole day in his company. He also took me out at night-time, when the crowds and the animation everywhere apparent on the brilliantly lighted boulevards at such a late hour filled me with astonishment, and led me to conclude that Paris never slept.
Gaston knew his city well, and was able to tell me much about the ways and customs of the people we met. Especially he pointed out to me the cocottes, those smartly-dressed women of pleasure, who could be seen parading the thoroughfares with a rustle of silks, and thronging around the fashionable cafes and theatres. He explained to me the system under which they were organised, and; told me of the difference which existed between France and England in this respect. This was a subject as to which I had been completely in the dark up till now, but he quickly dissipated my ignorance, so that it was not long ere I was in the possession of as many facts relating to the matter as he himself, and felt quite a man of the world as I endorsed the practical commonsense which had dictated Continental policy. Gaston enlightened me on the subject of venereal disease, and its prevalence in Great Britain, due to the want of control persisted in by an old-womanly statesmanship. He seemed to have quite a fund of information on the question, and quite horrified me by some of the things he acquainted me with. I wondered, indeed, where he had gleaned all his knowledge from, but he said that he had read several works of authority dealing with the topic. One of these he procured and showed me, but a look through it was quite sufficient to disgust me, and after I had seen some of the ghastly plates I had no desire to read the book. It took some little time to shake off the horror I felt, but I finally consoled myself with the reflection that it was largely due to people's own fault if they contracted such terrible aliments; these might easily be prevented by exercising proper care.
Gaston had a good deal to say about the cocottes, and also pointed out one or two establishments of the class which had a considerable reputation. He told me that there were some places, besides, where boys were to be procured, as well as girls, and also that some women of fashion even gave such houses secret patronage, and made assignations there with men, while a few went to the length of engaging the services of the girls belonging to the institutions.
Some four or five days after our arrival, de Beaupre announced that he intended to take me that afternoon to see Cecile. I was naturally delighted with the proposal, and impatiently waited for the hour of our visit. At the appointed time, we set out for the Avenue Hoche, which we reached in due course. The concierge evidently knew Gaston, for he gave my companion a friendly salute, and informed us that Madame la Duchesse was at home. We proceeded to her appartement, where Marie admitted us, her face lighting up pleasantly as she saw Gaston. She conducted us to the drawing-room, which was large and beautifully furnished in the Louis-Quinze style, and here we found the lady whom we had come to see.
I did not think de Beaupre's eulogies at all far-fetched now that I was brought face to face with their object. The Duchesse de Regnier had a very charming presence altogether, with a pure, clear-tinted face, the paleness of which contrasted well with her dusky hair and eyes; and a figure whose every movement was instinct with grace. I must confess, however, that the serene and innocent expression of her countenance surprised me greatly and as I looked at her calm and lovely features, I could scarcely force myself to believe that my friend's tales about her were correct.
She rose lip as we entered, and, coming forward, kissed Gaston warmly. He then introduced me to her, and I held out my hand; but she disdained such a cold formality, and embraced me with the greatest tenderness, pressing her lips to each of my cheeks in turn, and saying, "I am so charmed to meet one of dear Gaston's English friends, But your name, Pow-Pow-Powerscourt, is it not? It is much too dreadful for me to speak. You must let me call you Charlie, as Gaston does; will you not?"
I stammered out a polite rejoinder, overcome by the extreme kindness of her reception; but she soon made me lose all sense of bashfulness, and we were quickly talking together in the most animated manner. On Cecile learning that I did not speak French with very great ease, she immediately broke off, and thereafter made use only of English, in which language she could express herself with the greatest fluency. She seemed to devote herself a great deal to me, and I was almost afraid that her attentions would arouse de Beaupre's jealousy, but such an idea never appeared to cross his mind.
"By rights, another of my friends should have come over with us," he said; "Jimmy, you know!-I have often told you about him-well, he should have joined us, but at the end he had to stay at home to meet some friends who were coming from abroad. He was very much disappointed, as I promised that I would bring him to see you, Cecile. Anyhow, I've done the next best thing; I've got his portrait with me. There it is!"
He handed it to Cecile. It was an excellent likeness of the young duke, in a neat Eton suit, and Cecile murmured her approval.
"I've got something else, too!" cried de Beaupre. "Jimmy would be in a wax, if he knew; but I don't care! I shall show you. It's another picture-only you can see more of him in this one. It was a snapshot I took once when we were bathing. He forgot all about it, and I never showed it to him after it was developed."
It was a fine print, and showed our chum standing on the grassy bank of a lake or river. He had nothing on, a front view of his figure being most effectively displayed. I had a sort of feeling of suspense, as Cecile took the photograph and examined it carefully. It almost seemed a dreadful thing for Gaston to do, but no shadow of annoyance or embarrassment was to be detected on her face, and when she handed it back, she said, "He must be a very pretty boy; if he is anything like that; but not quite so pretty as Charlie here. You know! I like you English boys very, very much; you are all so fresh and light-hearted, and so, so good-tempered."
I knew not what to say in reply to these compliments, and I must have looked very foolish as I coloured up and faltered forth a few words in protest against such flattery; but she smiled upon me brightly, and assured me that she meant every word she said. I treasured up the episode; however, to recount to Jimmy when next we met; and I could imagine his indignation at having such a delicate portrait of himself handed round for inspection.
After a time, Cecile said, "What do you say to a visit to the theatre this evening? There is a very nice thing at the Opera Comique just now. Shall we go?"
I looked at de Beaupre, referring the matter to him, but he replied, "Certainly! My mother knew where we were going, so it won't matter in the least if we are late."
"Very well! That settles it;" cried Cecile. "The thing now is to get the seats, I am so sorry, Gaston, to bother you, but Marie is busy this afternoon, and Julie is not in, so would you mind going to get the tickets. You can take a fiacre there and back, so you won't be long. Charlie shall stay here and amuse me while you are away."
De Beaupre could not well refuse, and in a few minutes departed on his errand. When he had gone, Cecile reclined on a couch, and bade me draw my chair closer to her.
"I was at a ball last night; and feel so very tired today. You must therefore excuse me for lying down," she said.
Soon her voice grew softer, and her eyes dropped, gradually closing completely. The fan she held fell from her nerveless fingers, and, by her gentle breathing, she appeared to have fallen asleep. In her movements, her dress had been drawn upwards, revealing the lower part of her daintily shaped legs, cased in black silk stockings so thin that the tint of the flesh could be seen plainly through them. How I longed to touch them! I could do so by stretching out my hand, but dare I make the attempt? If only I could be sure that she would not awake, I would go so far. I gazed intently at her face, but to all seeming she had sunk into slumber. I wavered in doubt for a considerable period, but finding she gave no sign of consciousness, I lightly put my fingers on her ankle. Still she made no movement, and, feeling more assured, I moved my hand to her calf. She stirred, and I drew back in affright, but she did not open her eyes, and the only effect of her motion was to pull her skirts farther up, so that I could see now to her knees. My courage soon returned, and I let my hands wander very gently over her stockinged limbs. Their soft touch thrilled me. What would I not have given to have felt free to pursue my investigations further? But my heart was not bold enough to carry me to such a length. There was an invisible barrier which I found it impossible to break through, though every moment I hung on the very verge of doing so. Cecile's sleep was so quiet and peaceful that I left off watching her face. I did not, therefore, see her eyes open; but as my hand hovered about the bend of her leg, it was suddenly caught in hers. My blood froze at being thus discovered, and I trembled in a mortal terror, bending before the expected blow of her anger. But she only laughed lightly, and exclaimed, "Oh, you naughty, naughty boy! What have you been doing while I was asleep?"
I hardly dared to look at her, but when I did so I was overwhelmed by the melting passion she displayed in every feature, and my fright evaporated. Though I hardly formed the conclusion at the time, perhaps a dim idea entered my brain, and I felt sure afterwards, that she had feigned sleep for the express purpose of inducing me to some such act as I had committed, and would probably have kept up the comedy longer, had not my backwardness exhausted her patience. She turned her dark, liquid eyes full on mine, and repeated her question. I could find nothing to reply, and she continued, "I am afraid, Charlie, that you are a more roguish boy than I took you for. Come, now! what would you have done, had I not awakened?"
I could only stare confusedly at her, mastered by the witchery of her smile; but she would not be content with my silence. "Proceed!" she insisted. "Imagine that I am still asleep, and I will forgive you entirely."
My blood grew hot at this invitation, coupled with the way in which she pressed my hand towards her thighs, hinting to me in the most unmistakable manner to continue. Why should I not take advantage of the occasion? I asked myself. All that Blackie had told me of Cecile came into my mind with a rush, and impelled me to make the resolution. Here at last was the opportunity I had been anxiously waiting for: the chance now offered itself to become acquainted at first hand with womanly charms.
I hesitated no longer, but slowly advanced my hand towards Cecile's middle. I found no obstruction in so doing, and suddenly a tremor passed through me as my fingers touched her warm belly and entangled themselves in the long, soft growth of hair thereon. I groped blindly about, in search of further discoveries, at first without success, but then I remembered what de Beaupre had told me of the position of what I sought, and I moved my hand lower down. Next instant, I almost gave a cry, as I encountered the warm slit that formed the entrance to the regions of love, and as my fingers trembled timidly upon the lintel, Cecile pressed her legs together, imprisoning my hand between her burning thighs.
All reserve vanished, driven away by the intense excitement I felt, and I pushed her dress high up, so that I might gratify the sense of sight as well as of feeling. Cecile made no effort to deter me, and I feasted my eyes upon the hovel spectacle without let or hindrance from her, De Beaupre's descriptions had been so, vivid, however, that what I saw only coincided with the ideas I had already formed. Still, this did not prevent me from revelling in the freshness, and I was lost to all else but the wondrous interest of the moment as I viewed and felt her glowing, dark-fringed cunt, rounded belly, and the funny little clitoris, which latter was quite stiff as I touched it.
I was possessed with a desire to see her discharge, and with this object I tickled and rubbed her private parts in a way that I calculated would have this effect. She did not try to stop me, but opened her legs to give me better play. I was a little afraid of putting my fingers far into her sheath, which I was not yet sufficiently acquainted with to understand properly. She seemed to note this, and, taking my wrist, forced my hand so far in that I wondered where it was going to, and marveled at the capacity of the regions I was invading. As she appeared to like it, however, I did not mind, and titillated her with such a display of energy that in a very few minutes her sperm ran out in a hot flow. Fascinated, I watched the phenomenon, while she crossed and uncrossed her legs in her lascivious joy. I had taken my hand away, so as not to impair the view; but she excitedly seized it, and pressed it to her quivering vagina, forcing me once more to caress it, and thrust my fingers into its dripping depths. I was not loath to continue, delighted at the resignation of herself to me, and fully satisfied with this, my initial experience of femininity. I dived and delved into all the recesses of her body, while she tossed and turned in her wild enthusiasm. I had gained no proper conception of a woman in her lust, when the fit was upon her in its entire fierceness; and the frenzied intensity which overspread Cecile's every feature made her look very different from the chaste-souled being she would have been taken for when I first spoke to her. She throbbed and flamed throughout in her ardour, raging in a fever of lubricity; and this finally culminated when, with a cry almost of despair, her semen once again burst forth in an abounding volume. After allowing herself a moment or two to recover, she rose and said, "You are a dear child, Charlie! I was ready at once to take you into my friendship as a comrade of Gaston; but you would have won your way there without his aid. Never fear for him! my heart is large enough to hold you both-and your other friend, too, if he had been here as well. Now, it is my turn, and you shall let me regale myself on your body. I am dying to do so-for one with so lovable a face must, I am sure, have an equally enchanting form."
"But will not Gaston be back in a few minutes?" I asked.
"It does not matter! We will prepare a little surprise for him. But, tell me! has my young friend ever mentioned me to you?" she went on.
"Oh, yes! He has often told me about you, and what a good friend you have been to him," I replied, equivocally.
"You little rogue!" she cried. "I mean, has he ever given you a particular account of visits to me? But I am not fair in asking you. I do not wish you to betray your friend's confidences. It is quite sufficient that I know you, and have you with me now. Come with me! and we shall see what we shall see when Gaston returns."
She took me to her bedroom, where she helped me to undress, and laid me on the bed. "Beautiful! Charming!" she exclaimed rapturously, as with burning eyes she proceeded to devour my body. "You are a little angel, and I shall feel under an eternal debt of gratitude to Gaston for giving me the privilege of your acquaintance. My only sorrow is that I will so soon have to say farewell to you, but I shall hope to see you again, when you come to stay with your friend another time."
She kissed me fervently on the belly and between the thighs, and took my cock in her fingers, murmuring, "What a ravishing love-jewel!" It was hot and stiff, and its erection did not diminish under her caressing touch, especially as, she artfully tickled my balls with a magnetic effect, sending deep vibrations of voluptuousness through my frame. At length she took it in her mouth and sucked it with an ardour that caused me to remember how fond she was of this amusement, according to de Beaupre."
She was in the middle of doing, this when we heard Gaston's voice, calling to know where we were.
"Stay here!" said Cecile to me. "I will bring him in." She left the room, but, almost immediately returned, followed by de Beaupre. He gave a look of momentary surprise on seeing me laying naked on the bed, but it quickly changed to a smile, as he glanced from me to Cecile.
"I say!" he cried; you have been getting on very well together while I have been away. I never thought Charlie would know so well how to pass the time."
"I don't fancy Charlie is much in need of your assistance, monsieur," said Cecile. "And I think I ought to be severe with you, for I am afraid you have been telling tales out of school. But, never mind! I will pardon you, if only because you brought such a dear boy to, see me. Suppose you undress, too! I should love to see you both together like that."
"All right, I'm ready!" he replied; "it will be a nice prelude to the theatre. But you must, join us in the same way, Cecile."
"Indeed, monsieur! but you are very overbearing in your demands. However, if it will please you, I will do so; but it is rather for Charlie's sake than for yours!"
They both divested themselves of their clothes; and when they had reduced themselves to utter nudity they took their places beside, me, Cecile being in the middle. The situation enthralled me; and I was transported into the seventh heaven. I could not take my eyes from Cecile, and I greedily drank in every detail of her lovely form, stroking her white belly, squeezing her plump thighs, and pressing her firm, globular breasts; while she in turn repeatedly kissed me on the lips and bosom, now and again turning to, bestow a corresponding caress on Gaston, while her hands were occupied in devoting soft embraces and titillations to our respective members.
We spent quite a long time in these idyllic proceedings, and I was overwhelmed with delight; but finally Cecile began to hunger for more powerful, sensations, our wanton play being insufficient to satisfy her passionate cravings.
"Let us get closer," she said. "Come towards me, Charlie!" and she turned on her side, facing me. "You, as the guest of the occasion, shall have the post of honour accorded to you. I will deliver over my back to Gaston. No doubt, he will find satisfaction there."
She drew me against her, and as my warm flesh touched her I thrilled again. I took no initiative, but let her do as she listed. Finding I did not move, she put her hand down, and taking my cock, placed it against the hungry mouth of her orifice of joy. This done, she threw her arms round me, and squeezed me tightly towards her. As I felt myself sinking into this haven of happiness, a smile of rapture broke over my face, seeing which, she pressed her lips to mine in a long, sweet kiss. I had now penetrated into the arena of love; and my instinct told me what to do. Gaston, on his part, had not suffered himself to be neglected, but had forced an entrance into Cecile's bottom-hole. His lustful movements coincided with mine, so that Cecile was thus between two fires, being assailed both at back and front. The dual embrace filled her with the greatest excess of pleasure, and she gave herself up to us with uncontrollable abandon. Her emotions were raised to such a pitch that I quickly experienced another new sensation as my cock was drenched in her hot emission, but this only served to add fuel to her salaciousness, and she held me tightly, lest I should seek to disengage myself. On my side, the heating struggle, the rasping of her sheath on my member as it gaped and shut in its alternations of excitement, and the strong suction it seemed to be exercising on my very veins, were rapidly bringing me to a violent condition of amorous fury. I could tell, also, by Gaston's heavy breathing, that he was tottering on the brink, preparatory to plunging into the sea of consummated lasciviousness. Another downpour from Cecile's bursting cunt shed itself in torrid streams over me; in her madness, she seized upon my mouth, almost choking me with hot caresses; and this acted as the last incentive to my already overstrained body-I gave a desperate lunge, and then I felt myself eaten up as with tongues of living fire, pangs of exquisite delightfulness filled my entire form, taking away all power of volition, and I sank in limp exhaustion on Cecile's breast. She held me close, and while I lay thus, only half awake to my surroundings, I heard Gaston cry-and his voice sounded to me as if it came from afar-"Ah! At last! It is coming. Oh! don't squeeze like that, Cecile. I am overpowered!" and he, too, fell upon her nervelessly. But she only laughed at our inanition, and chided us mirthfully for being overcome. In a little while, we regained our energies, and sat up, but our cocks presented a bedraggled and shrunken appearance, causing Cecile to seize them with a little gesture of derision. We could not, however, aspire to such heights of excess as she, and Gaston told her so in as many words. She dropped her raillery at once, and said, "You must not take notice of me. You have both been very good boys, and I have not enjoyed myself so much for months. What a delightful afternoon this has been. I shall not forget it for a long time. You cannot imagine how glorious it was to have your darling little members in me at the same time-the sensation was too lovely to be explained in speech."
We wiped ourselves, and then Cecile insisted upon sucking me. I was for postponing this, having scarcely yet recovered from my commerce with her; but she pointed out that she would not have a further chance, as it would be necessary to get ready for the theatre before long, so I had perforce to give way to her. It made my cock ache a good deal at first, but this feeling wore off with returning voluptuousness, and she kept at her task until she had made it come erect again; but the sensation was too intolerable, every stiffening tremor of the organ sending a deep, shooting spasm through me, and at last I had to beg her to stop.
"Very well," she said. "I must not overtax you. And you have afforded me such great pleasure that I cannot deny you something in return. I will go to poor Gaston now. See how patiently he has been waiting! He is a little saint, is he not? never to make a murmur." Possibly Gaston was possessed of more stamina than I was, but at any rate he seemed to bear himself better, and submitted to Cecile's endearing caresses for quite a long time. At length, however, even she deemed it advisable to cease, and we all three proceeded to dressing again.
Cecile ordered dinner to be prepared rather earlier than usual, and while we were partaking of it, she said. "Do you remember, Gaston, that place I once took you to, where we met Helene and the others? It was a society, as I told you. I dare say Charlie knows all about it, too, but I will not embarrass you by asking whether he does. Well, there is a special meeting a week from today, and, if you like, I will take you both. No, Gaston! you will not need to pose again as my little cousin, Elise. The meeting I speak of is one of a particular kind, and is not of frequent occurrence; on such occasions, though men are excluded, boys are not forbidden; and, in fact, it is usual for a member to introduce one, if she can manage to do so, but the conditions for the eligibility of these young guests are so stringent that it is rather a distinction to be able to bring one. You, however, are both qualified in every respect, so I shall be doubly honoured in having an escort of two. You see! it is necessary that they be well-born and attractive, and also discreet.. Now, I can vouch for you as all three, so the rest is easy. Our rendezvous is not the place that you know, Gaston, on this occasion, but a villa in the environs. The boys always present themselves in costume, but I will make all arrangements of that sort. You shall come and see me tomorrow, and I will take you to my dressmaker; she will see to everything that you want."
We spent a pleasant evening at the theatre, where the singing and scenery charmed me very much, although I could not follow the words to any great extent. On coming out, Cecile took us to supper at a restaurant not far away, and then drove us home, and bidding us goodbye, requested that we would come to see her at noon the next day.