In the morning, we were awakened by Mignon, who brought us coffee. Owing to my presence, she preserved a modest and respectful attitude, which extracted sundry whimsical remarks from Gaston, who tried to give her a kiss. But she drew back, exclaiming, "No, no! You must not, monsieur. Monsieur Charles is looking at us."
Gaston laughed loudly, crying, "What of that, Mignon? You must not him for a simpleton. You wait till you know a little more about him."
He sprang out of bed and, rushing at me as I lay, seized my hands, saying, "Here he is, Mignon! Come and have a look at him."
Mignon frowned a reproof, but was unable to repress a smile, and at last obeyed de Beaupre's injunctions, and came towards me.
"What is the matter with you?" continued Gaston; "why don't you pull the clothes down?"
"Oh! but monsieur, I could not," she replied. "Perhaps Monsieur-Charles would not like it?"
"Oh! wouldn't he? You try, and see!" persisted Gaston, and, thus urged, Mignon did as she was bidden. The sight of my legs, as she uncovered them, further prevailed upon her, and she no longer exhibited any hesitation, but turned up my shirt with a little laugh, and placed her hand on my private parts. I curled myself up as she did so; but made no protest, and she played lingeringly with my member, finally giving it a kiss; but she then concluded that this was enough for the present, and threw the coverings over me again. However, it was "a beginning, and spoke of more eventualities in the future.
By midday, we presented ourselves at Cecile's, and found her ready for us.
"We have not much time" said Gaston, "as we must be back for luncheon."
She took us to the couturiere she patronised, who made the necessary measurements, while Cecile supplied her with all the particulars she required. The confabulation was such a long one, that we got a trifle impatient, but it was over at last, and we made all haste back to the Faubourg St. Germain.
A day or two later, Cecile called on the princess, and told her of the invitation she had given us, merely saying, of course, that she would like us to spend the evening with her.
On the day in question, we repaired to the Avenue Hoche rather late in the afternoon, and found Cecile impatiently awaiting us. After a pleasant hour or two, she took us to the dressing-room to be attired for our parts. Marie figured largely in this scene, being assisted by Julie, whom I regarded with considerable interest, recollecting de Beaupre's account of what took place on her engagement by madame. She was a decidedly pretty young girl, but was scarcely calculated now to give one the impression of strict convent breeding, for she tripped about in the liveliest manner, and displayed very much less reserve in her demeanour than Marie.
Cecile had made the most elaborate preparations for adorning our persons. Our costumes were of the eighteenth- century period, and I felt myself quite imposing when I had attired myself in a pair of white satin breeches, white silk stockings, shoes with diamond buckles, a white brocaded waistcoat, and a full-skirted coat of white satin glittering with embroidery of brilliants. My full cravat and ruffles were of the finest lace. My own hair was concealed by a curled and powdered wig, to the queue of which a broad ribbon was attached and brought over on to my breast. A brooch of diamonds fastened my neckband, and a collar, with pendant cross, of the same stones encircled my throat, while a large star blazed and sparkled on the left side of my coat. A light sword with jewelled hilt hung at my side, while Marie added the finishing touch by slipping some of Cecile's magnificent rings on my fingers.
Gaston displayed equal splendour in a suite of lemon- coloured satin, which suited admirably his dark complexion and jet-black hair and eyes. The coat was richly worked with pearls and brilliants, which also profusely ornamented his long, flowered waistcoat. His peruke was tied with a black ribbon, and Cecile's store of jewelry was again over-hauled to deck him out in as lavish a fashion as myself. As we sat down to dinner, we looked like two young exquisites of the ancient regime, and quite put into the shade Cecile, in the classical simplicity of her plain, cream-coloured silk robe, which hung in straight folds about her, and was only relieved by her splendid ruby ornaments.
I was unaccustomed to such finery, and it took me a little while to get used to it, but by the time dinner was concluded I felt more at my ease. Cecile took another survey of us afterwards, and stuck a little black patch on my right cheek, declaring, after she had contemplated the effect, that this had been the one thing wanting to make me absolutely perfect. And really, when I surveyed myself in the mirror which she handed to me, I was fain to admit that the "beauty" spot added a wonderful piquancy to the general expression of my features. It was only natural, too, that my comrade should want to have a like addition made to his armoury of attractions, so Cecile put one also on his face, but lower down than mine, and just near the dimple that made itself shown when he laughed.
We were now ready to start and as soon as we were notified that the carriage was at the door, we descended to the porch.
The drive was a long one, taking us right away into the furthest suburbs; but we finally passed through a gate and along a short private road, drawing up before the portico of a large stone villa. The doors were shut, but on knocking we were admitted into the hall, where our cloaks and Cecile's wrap were taken from us by a servant. We were then led along a wide passage, and passed through a pair of big folding-doors into a great hall or winter-garden with a glass room. This presented a truly brilliant spectacle, with its countless lights, its richly decorated walls, its tessellated pavement spread with soft carpets, its multitude of silk- covered couches and its huge, branching palms.
We were late arrivals, and the rest of the company was already assembled. Gaston pointed out to me Helene; Isabelle, Yvonne and others whom he recognised; and we were soon in the midst of them, as they trooped around us. None of them, however, gave any sign, of remembering having seen him before as Cecile introduced us. The costumes were all marked by the same simplicity as Cecile's, this seeming to be the rigueur for the occasion. There were some dozen other boys present, all in eighteenth-century dress, but I do not think it too much to say that Gaston and I quite outshone the rest in plumage.
In addition to the members and their guests, there was quite a number of attendants in evidence-both boys and girls. The boys wore rose-coloured silk stockings with black satin garters tied in a bow at the side, and elegant satin shoes, together with a very short, open jacket, in shape not unlike that of a Spanish matador, brocaded and sewn with spangles and coloured stones, and finished of with a border of black velvet. This constituted their sole attire, leaving the whole front of their bodies and their posteriors perfectly open to view. The girls had a broad scarf of purple silk bound round them just below the breasts and little shoes with long purple silk ribbons crossed round the leg, trellis-fashion, to the knee-their apparel being thus even more primitive than that of the boys.
"Now that you have come, Cecile," said Helene, "we will go and have a little refreshment. Then the entertainment can commence."
We repaired to a room laid out with a long table, where various light and stimulating dishes were served to us, accompanied by copious libations of champagne and liqueurs, well calculated to arouse the senses. At the finish, wine of a peculiarly exhilarating kind was brought round in glasses fashioned to represent the male organ of generation, the vessels themselves seeming to impart a flavour of lasciviousness to the beverage. This was undoubtedly the idea, and it will be remembered that Juvenal (Satires, II, 96) mentions that drinking-cups of the same kind were used at similar gatherings in his time.
I was seated between Cecile and Helene, and was all eyes and ears amid the strangeness of the situation. The conversation which took place was tinged with considerable freedom, but there were no liberties of action so far, such being reserved till a late moment.
I was rather amused by Helene enquiring of Cecile how her cousin, Elise, was.
"Oh, poor child!" replied Cecile; "she has gone back to the country again. Our frivolity in Paris unnerved her altogether, but she will be quite happy at home in her own quiet way; I do not think she would ever have accustomed herself to our manners, and it really seemed a sin to disturb her peace of mind by insisting upon her remaining with me."
Belene gave the signal to rise, and we made our way back to the great saloon again.
A hidden orchestra began to discourse voluptuous music, and when we had all taken our places where the fancy led us, two boys and two girls entered and advanced to the middle of the hall. They wore sandal-shoes and loose, short tunics of the thinnest white gauze and carried each a tambourine. The unseen musicians struck up a fresh air, and the quartet kept time to the measure in a graceful dance, leaping and pirouetting with agile cleverness, shaking their tambourines as they did so and accompanying their steps with every sort of wanton gesture. It was a performance such as Nero loved to watch, or Petronius to write of, and the inciting effects were plainly visible on the faces of the women, at they looked on. The last shreds of reserve were disappearing fast, and when the dancers paused for a space, a general sigh went up at the breaking of the suspense. After a short breathing-time, the dance started again, and waxed more furious. The boys' members stood violently upright, vibrating with their every movement, while the swollen clitoris and distended vagina of each girl spoke of equal excitement. They carried out their terpsichorean revolutions to the utmost limit of their capacity, but at last, responding to the nimble touches which the boys administered to them, the girls collapsed and sank into their partners' arms, while streams of white semen ran down their thighs.
At this conclusion, the ladies of the audience rose as of one accord, with ardently shining eyes and panting breasts. With a common consent, they cast their robes from them, revealing themselves in complete nakedness, their shoes and stockings being also removed by the deft attendants. On a marble pedestal at one end of the hall; a beautiful little boy, with body all nude, was stood, and the women thronged around him, as before an altar, kissing his feet and body, and casting votive offerings of roses-white and red and yellow- before this living personification of the god of love, until the floor around him was heaped with perfumed blossoms in loveliest profusion. Then they joined hands and circled about him in a bacchanal dance, shrieking a wild chorus of licentious abandon. I stood lost in amaze at the scene, to match which one would have had to go back to the days when the Roman women celebrated at midnight, with closed doors, the mysteries of the Bona Dea. It was just such a sight as this that doubtless met the eyes of Publius Clodius when, disguised as a singing-girl, he penetrated into the most sacred precincts of Caesar's house in order to witness for himself the rites partaken in by Pompeia. Never could the maenads of those archaic times have exhibited greater frenzy than these, their latter-day imitators. Breaking apart from each other, the screamed for the attendants to come to them, and each claimed the services of a boy and a girl-the boy to soothe and at the same tithe aggravate their lust by swiftly working their fingers on clitoris and vagina, while the girl stood ready with a goblet in which to catch the outpour that was to follow. One after another, in quick succession, each salacious female, trembling in a madness of lubricity, with deep sighings and half-groans, stooped down and gave forth of her over-flowing abundance of spermatic fluid into the receptacle held for her. The contents of these were all emptied into one gleaming, sculptured chalice. This Helene, as high-priestess, took in her hands, and held aloft for a moment, like a pontiff offering sacrifice, uttering a loud cry as she did so. Then she advanced towards the naked boy on the pedestal, and bent the knee before him, her fellow- worshippers also prostrating themselves. Rising, Helene poured the whole of the warm, thick liquor over the shoulders of the boy, thrusting the chalice into the arms of a ready attendant when she had done so. The dense volume of these commingled essences ran in a pearly flood over Cupid's body in this baptism of lasciviousness, and at the sight the women, drunk with passion, flocked about him fiercely, like souls possessed, striving with one another in a desperate effort to smother him with their embraces, smearing the coagulated semen over his form with their hands, and lapping up the moisture with their tongues in demonic fanaticism. I have only to close my eyes, to bring the vision before me again, and see those wild-eyed creatures indulge once more in that riot of sensuality.
I almost expected to witness the hapless lad torn to pieces in the frenzy of his devotees, but by some providence he escaped unhurt, or perhaps his adorers were less violent in their caresses than they seemed. Anyhow, Helene at last gave the signal for cessation, and her colleagues drew back and forced themselves into comparative calmness. Warm water and sponges were brought, and they cleansed themselves, just as the Baptae, the priests of Cotys at Athens, were wont to wash after their nights of debauchery. Helene reserved to herself and Cecile the coveted distinction of bathing and wiping the body of the deified boy. When the purification was over, attention was directed to the next event. A girl, blindfolded and muffled in thick wrappings, was brought in and placed in the centre of the hall. The bandage was taken from her eyes, and she looked about her with a startled glance. She was very young-not more than fourteen-and seemed to be very much disturbed by her surroundings. She had little time for reflection, however, as in another minute three sturdy and muscular-looking youths of about sixteen came in at a run. They were quite naked, and their well-developed members, fringed around with dark hair, were at fullest erection, beating against their bellies as they moved, while their big testicles swayed prominently from side to side. Rushing upon the girl, they seized her in their clutches, while she screamed wildly, and struggled to get away. But with strong hands they rent her garments from her, until not a stitch remained to hide her nudity. She shrieked and writhed in vain attempts to free herself, but they paid no attention to her remonstrances, and one of the lads supported her body and held her wrists from behind, while the second, kneeling down, gripped her ankles, also from behind. The remaining one then approached and, forcing open her thighs, inserted his virile weapon into her undefended sheath. She shrieked again, and strove once more to obtain liberation; but the effort was useless. Her ravisher drove his member with violent force into her secret regions; she cried aloud under the pain inflicted upon her, then fell to trembling and whimpering in utter despair as her outrage was completed and the seducer thrust his organ into her vital parts with tremendous lustiness of energy. As he did so, he clasped her head and shoulders with his arms, and pressed his face against hers, and before many minutes had elapsed, she succumbed to a conquest of the senses, her cries ceased, and her struggles resolved themselves into a series of excited responses to her assailant's movements. She found voice again, however, as her maiden essence began to flow, and gave vent to several agonised shouts when finally the youth came to a finish and, pushing for the last time with all his might, closed tightly up against her as he discharged his sperm into her quivering body.
When he had concluded, he moved from his position and gave place to one of his companions, who, worked up by the sight of the preceding operations, was eager for the contest, and roused the girl to renewed agitation with the zest of his embraces. She made no more cries, however, but met his attack with soothed resignation, and, as nearly as I could judge by her features, appeared to be spending again. This youth, too, was not long in coming to a head; and, in his turn, he gave way to the third. By this time the girl was prostrated, and it was the work of the two non-combatants to support her failing form rather than to hold her, as she was assailed by the last of their number in his pristine vigour. She had no strength wherewith to reply to his actions, and she trembled and sighed as he pursued his purpose. She was overcome altogether, and at the end fell back with a groan against those who held her. Stricken nature had given way, and she seemed to have become insensible. However, she had served her part, and the three youths carried her away between them.
I pointed out her condition to Cecile, but she replied, "That is nothing! You must not think she has been hurt. Her tribulation was brought about more by nervousness than by terror. She knew before-hand what was to be done to her, and only the pleasure will remain in her mind when she recovers."
The little drama had wrought its effect on the spectators, and now that it was over they seized the opportunity to indulge in indiscriminate tonguings and ticklings among themselves; Helene and Cecile laid themselves side by side, kissing and at the same time eagerly fingering one another. As I looked about me, I saw that the remainder were all engaged similarly, and my own blood began to mount hotly within, causing me to pluck at my itching cock.
Close by my side, Isabelle and Yvonne were deep in the delights of soixante-neuf, and I fell to gazing at them intently, as they squeezed each other's bottoms with their hands, and feverishly dipped and twirled their long tongues in one another's apertures. One discharge only was the rule, however, and by the time the pair I looked at had, with many a pant and wriggle, given off a deluge of warm cream each, the others had all arrived at the same terminus.
Again they performed their ablutions, and then composed themselves for a further spectacle. The actors consisted of an Arab boy and girl, a little, dusky-coloured pair, not numbering more than a score of years between them, but these children of the tropics come to maturity, genitally speaking, at a far earlier age than those of colder climes, and the young boy's sexual furniture was of a kind that many a grown European youth could not have shown, while the girl, was very little behind in the same respect. On the signal being given to start they went through a regular series of lewd enactments, displaying extraordinary powers of sustentation. To begin with, the girl stretched herself out; and the boy mounted her in the orthodox fashion. When he had entered into her, she clasped him round the shoulders, and twined up her legs round his, squeezing and pressing him, thrusting her belly to meet his pushes, and doing all she could to increase their mutual delight. This soon brought the consummation of their energies, but; after only a moment's rest; the boy lay down, and the girl knelt above him, taking his member, still wet with his recent emission, in her mouth, while the boy replied by burying his face in her thighs, and penetrating into her moist and dripping vagina with his tongue. It would be impossible to conceive a greater exhibition of wantonness than that given by the little couple, as they locked themselves in each other's embrace, and writhed and twisted in the greatness of their ardour. Even when they had finished this bout, they had not exhausted themselves entirely, and, after the girl had worked her partner's member up again to the requisite degree of stiffness, she sat over him and, bringing the top against her wide-open orifice, sank slowly down until she had swallowed it up to the hilt, and then rose and fell with measured movements, humming a monotonous but weird chant, until once again she bathed the boy's organ with her precocious abundance of life-fluid, and followed it up in good time by extracting a further draught from the living tap she played upon. This marked the close of the show, and the two then made a deep salutation, and took their way out.
All this had excited the women to, an insupportable height, and Helene called out with a loud voice, "Bring forth the weapons of delight, and let all make themselves ready!"
In response to her command, a number of dildos was brought, sufficient to furnish half the company of members with them, and the attendants assisted in the fixing on of these instruments. As such things had already been described to me by Gaston, I was not astonished by them; but the presentment of the women, as they stood fitted with the curious artifices, was sufficiently startling to excite my deepest interest. Cecile and Helene each had one on, and apparently it was the older and more experienced of the sisterhood that were so equipped. As the females present belonging to the society numbered exactly thirty, there were fifteen on each side. The two divisions drew up in line, facing each other, at a distance of several yards. All were then blindfolded, and at a signal made by the striking of a gong they advanced towards each other, spreading out their hands in front of them. As soon as one of the artificially accoutred members had laid hold of a girl from the other company, each removed the bandage from her eyes, and both made their way together to a couch. It was thus left to chance to decide the arrangement of the couples. It so happened that Cecile picked out Yvonne, the very girl whose virginity she had taken on the occasion when she had introduced de Beaupre into their circle, and it was a strange but not unhappy fortune that again put Yvonne into her arms. Cecile gave a quick look round to see where I was, and finding I had not shifted from my station, led her companion to the divan against which I was sitting, with the intention of affording me the fullest scope for observation. Yvonne laid herself out to receive Cecile, and the latter, full of heat, quickly got into position over her. It needed no force to effect the entry of the dildo, which slipped with ease into Yvonne's impatient vagina, already well oiled by her previous emissions, and the girl gave a cry of delight at the ingress of the hard, stiff weapon. Cecile performed the man's part with fullest proficiency, and it amused me vastly to see the perfect way in which she could imitate every masculine movement. Her posteriors were turned towards me, and her own gaping aperture yawned redly, with protruding lips. I could not withstand the temptation to touch it. I approached my hand, and inserted two fingers in the palpitating slit. She uttered a startled exclamation, but her surprised look developed into a smile of grateful pleasure as she turned her head and noted the cause of the unlooked-for sensation, and I understood that she wished me to continue. In a very short time, Yvonne gave evidence of being about to reply to the calls upon her body, and next moment her sperm began to flow. "Squeeze the, balls, Charlie!" cried Cecile, and, in obedience I took one and gave it a violent pressure, which fairly electrified Yvonne into renewed activity as the charge shot swiftly and powerfully into her. I was about to send the contents of the second ball into her as well, but Cecile stopped me with quick gestures. Meanwhile, I had not relinquished my operations upon Cecile, and on the succeeding instant her love-juice rained out in a voluminous flow; covering my hand and running on to Yvonne's legs. My proceedings were apparently of an unusual character, and I do not think the example was followed in any other case, but, whether unrecognised or not, in the universal excitement of amorousness no notice was taken of it, and my by-play had very possibly escaped detection. Anyhow, Cecile had no cause to be dissatisfied, and pressed my hand with mute thanks as she arose.
After general purification, another interval ensued, to be enlivened by a further exhibition of an inflammatory nature. This took a new and extraordinary form. A fine she-goat, milk-white, carefully combed and washed, and decked with coloured ribbons, was led in by two boys. A majestic-looking he-goat, with a long beard, was also conducted into the middle of the hall from the opposite end by two girls. The male animal snorted, threw up its head and pawed the ground, on nearing its natural mate, to which it would have rushed, but for the hands that held it back. The two boys then placed themselves on either side of the female beast, so as to keep her still, and a strong mulatto youth, with an enormous genital organ, approached and took up a position in its rear. The creature moved its head and shifted uneasily, making a peculiar noise as it did so, but the boys quietened it with their confining hands, and when its equanimity was restored, the mulatto took advantage of the opportunity to invade its anterior fecunditive passage with his stiffened member. The brute started forward, and would have got away, had it not been restrained, and it showed signs of anxiety as the youth penetrated it. It was compelled, however, to retain its position, and the services of two more boys were called into requisition to hold its hind legs. The mulatto's part was now easy, and he bestowed his zealous embraces on the animal with seemingly great enjoyment. I was fascinated as I gazed at the strangely-matched pair, and could not take my eyes away until the youth's zestful efforts had been crowned with triumph, and he drew forth his dripping member from the beast's orifice, which brimmed over with exuding moisture.
The he-goat was now to be brought into action, and the scent of the late copulation had aroused him to such an extent that it took half a dozen pairs of hands to hold him and keep him in check. A huge black woman was to be his spouse for me occasion, and, crouching upon the floor on all-fours, she presented her massive posteriors before the excited animal. He was led forward and sniffed with his nose at the woman's thighs. The odour still further worked up his sensuality, and he threw his head high into the air. His forelegs were lifted up and placed around the woman's body, while one of the girls inserted his heated penis into the wide- open sheath which awaited it. There was no need to do anything further to urge him on or incite him. He knew perfectly well what was expected of him, and went to work with a lustiness that astonished me. The negress seemed to take matters very coolly as she bent beneath her brute- lover's embraces. The goat's mouth opened, and the hot breath steamed from its nostrils under the ardour it displayed, but such energy could not last long, and the woman was thrown backwards and forwards under its last vigorous strokes until it stopped abruptly and trembled from head to foot in the act of discharging its burden of cerebrospinal fluid into her capacious interior. Its passion now quelled, it suffered itself to be lifted from its position, and the members of the group took their departure, both animals looking much less fiery now than when they had entered.
Following upon this interlude, wine was brought round to us in the same priapic vessels as before, and a truce was called while the beverage was being consumed. The orchestra was playing the Venusberg music from Tannhauser, and under the influence of the moving strains, Helene turned to me and with impatient fingers loosened the front of my breeches. Diving her hand in, she brought to light my cock, which reared itself aloft in pleasure at its liberty.
"What a delightful little object!" she exclaimed, regarding it joyously and toying with it with her hand.
Cecile cast a look coloured, perhaps, with a little envy, at Helene, but the expression vanished in a moment, and she cried, "Here is my other cavalier!" proceeding to expose Gaston's member, which raised its head just as obtrusively as did mine. On the other side of Helene sat her own invited galiant, a handsome lad with a poetically pensive face, attired in a suit of pale-blue satin, heavily laced with silver, whom she addressed as Henriot. Leaving me for a second or two, she laid him open to view also, and then both she and Cecile fell to a comparison of our respective merits.
"It is a male edition of the Three Grates, is it not?" said Helene enthusiastically, as her glance, wandered from one to another of us in this modern and reversed judgment of Paris, while Isabelle presently came up and joined in the inspection. "I am less bold than Paris, however," continued Helene, "and fear to give the palm to any. One trembles to choose, when confronted with such a galaxy of perfection."
I fancy Henriot had the advantage of size, as his weapon of virility was of fairly big proportions, but, indeed, he appeared to be a trifle older than Gaston and myself.
"I think we ought to set forth, our devotion in some way," said Helene presently. "Let us signify it by bestowing upon our admired ones the salutation of Eros!"
Thus speaking, she went on her knees before me and took my throbbing cock in her mouth, sucking it with the most delicious effect. Cecile followed her example with Gaston, while Isabelle, taking the cue from them, lavished her warm caresses upon Henriot of the dreamy countenance. The soothing touch of Helene's lips and tongue over-joyed me, and I doubt not that my two, fellows experienced equal delight; but the happiness was too soon over, for, they ceased when they had wellnigh brought us to the verge, of bliss, and left us shivering in an agony of suspense.
"Poor darlings! It is cruel of us, I know," said Helene; but the rules do not permit more, and as president, I dare not set a precedent by breaking them. Please forgive us, and try to remain content."
They would not even permit us to gain relief by our own manual exercises, but themselves refastened our nether garments, so that we had to control ourselves as best we could.
The next proceeding of the women was to pair off again, and give exit to their feelings once more by mutual tongue and hand play, their hungry apertures being still further excited by applications of pungent and aromatic liquids, which they squirted in with their mouths, and also with little syringes into their bottom-holes. The effect was tremendous, and sent them almost mad with erotic fervour, so that little screams and groans resounded on all sides as their essence streamed out in unabated force and volume, while their bodies shook with violent tremors.
At the ensuing pause, two well-grown girls introduced themselves, together with a pair of huge, dun-coloured hounds. The girls knelt down, just as the negro woman had done, and it needed little inducement to get the dogs to mount them. The animals, growing hot and lusty at the prospect of the encounter before they had well started exerted every muscle in their ferocious embraces, and with lolling tongues went furiously at their business until the object of the union was accomplished; and when they had spent they remained within the unaccustomed precincts until they were removed by those in charge of them.
Nude maidens, crowned with flowers, next performed the graceful Ionian dance with classic pose and rhythm, while a quartet sat themselves down, singing and playing upon harps of antique pattern.
The dance over, several naked boys, with wreaths of myrtle on their heads, ran about amid the women spectators, striking them with light thongs on the thighs and body, in imitation of the custom at the festival of the Lupercalia in Ancient Rome. This was supposed to increase sexual arousal, and in this case me objective was achieved, for a general uprising took place. The dildos were caused to be brought again, this time being bound upon those who had before played the submissive part. The couples, however, arranged themselves as on the first occasion, mere being no fresh choosing, so that Cecile prepared herself for the onset of Yvonne. I was moved to practise upon the latter as I had done me first time upon Cecile; seeing which, Gaston performed a similar function in the case of Isabelle. Not to be behindhand, Henriot devoted himself in like manner to Helene, while the remainder of the boyish guests, observing our actions, each exerted themselves upon one of the fair. Cecile was one of the first to respond to the assault, and she did it right generously. I did not need to be told what to do, but as soon as I perceived the sighs of ecstasy on her face, I lost no time in pressing both rubber balls one after the other, causing Cecile to wellnigh expire in rapturous intensity under the strength and prodigious quantity of warm milk, mixed with isinglass, that I pumped into her.
When all had finished, Helene said to me, "You deserve our united thanks, Monsieur Charles, for your happy thought and the wonderful way by which our pleasure was increased in consequence. As a token of the gratitude which all the members must feel for your delightful inspiration, I ask you to accept this as an expression of our united feelings, and she took off a superb diamond and emerald bracelet that she wore, and slipped it on my wrist. I was overwhelmed with confusion, and blushed crimson at being thus made the cynosure of all eyes, but Helene would not listen to my nervous protests, and said I well merited the guerdon, and should be regarded ever afterwards as a benefactor to them by reason of my inventive genius."
I understood from Cecile that the meeting was shortly to be brought to a close, and I thought it spoke a great deal for the powers of endurance of them all that it had gone on for so long already. As a finale, all the boy and girl attendants were marshalled to the front, and went through a course of not unpleasing evolutions, half-dancing, half-posturing. They were all in a heated condition, as a glance at their members told, and at last a signal was given, and each boy flung himself into the arms of the girl nearest to him. Now that their hitherto controlled sensibilities found an outlet, they let their glowing desires have full play: and our eyes roved over a mass of seething, struggling young humanity, engaged in amorous encounters with all their powers, wrestling and striving with one another with unbridled lustfulness in a chaos of tossing arms and twisting legs and writhing bodies, while the air grew heavy with their deep breathing and the peculiar smell arising from their perspiring bodies.
This proved at last too much for the onlookers, and they fell to embracing each other again with all the remaining frenzied force of their wellnigh used-up strength, letting themselves loose in a perfect madness of caressing and incitements in an effort to drain from each other the very last drop of seminal essence that their taxed natures could produce. It was a triumph of nymphomania, and my flesh crept with amaze as I contemplated the orgy. Nothing was to be heard but their straining pants, followed by sobs and gasps as their sap drained out, and the indescribable odour of all this prodigal expenditure of sperm percolated densely through the atmosphere and hung in the nostrils at every inspiration. Not only myself but Gaston and all the other boy-guests remained silent and spellbound, unable to move or speak in presence of such an illimitable display of passion, and I forgot even my own warmth of feelings as I turned my head from side to side in an endeavour to assimilate into ordered comprehension all the varied aspects of concentrated eroticism that met my astonished gaze.
There was still a further act to be performed, however, and in preparation for this, the attendants were ordered out, and the doors closed, leaving only the members and their guests within. A curtain at one end was drawn aside, revealing the statue of a nude female, life-size, in an alcove. Offerings of flowers were made to this, and while the sacrifice was in progress, I questioned Cecile as to its purpose.
"That is the image of the goddess Flora, who is the presiding genius of our revels," she replied. "We throw flowers before her now, but a further and more important offering is to follow, as you will see. Look! here it comes now."
She pointed, and I saw Helene coming forward with a large salver on which were what appeared to be some portions of animal flesh.
"In the constitution of our society," continued Cecile in explanation, "we followed upon the lines instituted by the old Roman votaries of the Bona Dea, substituting, however, the goddess Flora for the deified wife of Faunus. It was the custom in classic ages to offer to the latter the womb and udders of a sow, and these are what you now see borne by Helene."
In front of the statue was placed a brazier of live coals, and while the rest of the females gathered round attentively, Helene performed various ceremonial rites, and then cast her burden into the fire. At the same instant the lights went out, so that there was dense gloom everywhere, except by the brazier, and as the portions of flesh rested upon the red-hot embers, they sizzled and burst into flame, the flickering flare lighting up the surrounding group of worshippers with the most weird and uncanny effect, which the smell of burning meat, as it smote upon the olfactory nerves, did not lessen.
After a time, the lights went on again, and the women rose. From behind the image, the little boy who had before figured as Cupid made his appearance. He had a bow in his hand, and a quiver was slung lover his shoulder. Taking the light darts, he fitted them one by one to the bow, and sent them aloft into the air, continuing until his stock was exhausted. Each time one fell upon a woman, she seized it, and, imprinting a kiss upon the tiny weapon pressed it to her bosom. Two touched me, one entangling itself in the folds of my cravat, and when I pointed this out to Helene, she congratulated me warmly, saying that it boded well for my future happiness and success in affairs of the heart.
This concluded the proceedings; the attendants were recalled and the females put on their attire again. Leaving the hall, we went to the supper-room, where a substantial meal awaited us. A different tone altogether now pervaded the whole gathering as the women sat themselves down "clothed, and in their right mind". It did not seem possible that they could be the same people, I thought, as I listened to the commonplace topics being discussed on all sides, and I could hardly believe that all I had seen was more than a dream.
A general breaking-up followed after supper, and very shortly afterwards Cecile, Gaston and myself were ensconced in our carriage, and being swiftly taken back to the city.
As we were on the way, Gaston fumbled at his breeches, and took out his member, holding it with his hand.
"I cannot help it, really!" he cried, "I must do something to it or I shall go mad. Look at what we have had to go through, Cecile! and with never so much as a little amusement for ourselves."
Cecile smiled. "I admit," she said, "That it must have been very provoking for you. But you must remember that you were there as spectators, and nothing else. It is a little cruel that we should exercise our vanity to such a length as to take you there, and be unable to give you any satisfaction; but those are the rules laid down, and it could not be helped."
"Well! I am going to have some satisfaction now," continued Gaston, starting to rub himself.
"Oh, no! You must not!" exclaimed Cecile. "Look here! I promise that you shall have a soothing balm when we return, if you will refrain for the present;" and in obedience to her entreaties, Gaston at last reluctantly buttoned up again.
It was growing light when we arrived at the Avenue Hoche, and as we made our way upstairs, Cecile said, "It is quite impossible for you to go home now. You must stay here, and return before lunch."
I did not like the idea, myself, of going back to the Hotel Foix at such an hour, and thought Gaston very wise to agree to her proposal.
The maids were there to help us to undress, but Marie left directly afterwards, so that only Julie remained.
"I have not overlooked my promise, Gaston," said Cecile. "Julie, you have not forgotten Monsieur le Comte, have you? Will you oblige him and Monsieur Charles with a little diversion?"
Julie smiled acquiescence, and Cecile bade her remove her clothes. She then made me lie on the bed with my back against the pillows, and when Julie was ready, she knelt between my legs and began to suck me. On Cecile's suggestion, Gaston mounted behind her, and, bringing his belly against her posteriors, thrust his member into her conveniently placed sheath. Both of us were thus able to receive satisfaction at once, while Julie enjoyed not less pleasure in her doubly well-placed situation, as she experienced the same happiness in her own body that she was giving to me. Speaking for myself, I was filled with the most complete gratification in, at long last, finding assuagement to the deep emotionalism I had been suffering from all the night without being able to get relief. All the pent-up sensuality of my nature worked tempestuously in me as Julie fanned the flames of voluptuousness with skilful art. I heaved wildly in excess of feeling, while my cock was the fulcrum around which all the boiling currents of my sensibilities surged and foamed. Gaston was in equal plight, and as I looked in his face, noting its passionate workings, I saw a reflection of my own. We had held ourselves in reserve for so long, however, that we were not a great length of time in labour. Gaston was the first to give way, and, with a few final agonised convulsions, he fell forward, clasping Julie with his arms. I was not far behind, nevertheless, and before many more moments were over, I felt my inmost being disturbed, an excessive glow of rapture rose up and swirled through me, purling riotously into every corner; and I pressed my genital weapon further between Julie's lips with a last effort, and then subsided, as the dams that held back my sperm found an outlet in the girl's willing mouth.
The tension of our bodies dissipated, both Gaston and I felt lassitude creeping upon us, and were anxious for sleep. Cecile put us to bed in the room next to hers, and almost before she had left the apartment we had closed our eyes.