just going to have another, when we noticed Edinburgh quite near.
'I'll cut out quick,' he said, 'Restall'd be furious, if he knew I was with you.'
I got to Dundee in good time and went straight to the Palace Hotel. I found Restall waiting in the hall.
'You're my niece here,' he whispered. 'I'd forgotten that they knew me, but I've got adjacent rooms and a sitting room.'
We had a bathroom belonging to the suite and I had a comfortable laze in the hot water before dinner. Restall sat on the edge of the bath and watched me with vicious eyes.
I know he didn't mean to do anything before dinner but the sight was too much for him. When I got out of the bath, he pressed me to him, wet as I was, and kissed me fervently. Then he flung himself out of his clothes and made me bathe him. I soaped, scrubbed and massaged him, and eventually got in the bath with him.
There is a lot of talk about fucking in a bath, but believe me the game is not all it is cracked up to be. It is not so comfortable as it-might be to have a man on top of you, even though the water is delicious. Also, the water contracts the vagina and entrance is difficult. Still, we managed it successfully, and the water was full of floating sperm when we stood up.
I dried Restall with hot towels and thoroughly massaged him with my hands.
We dined, I in a tea gown, Restall in a smoking jacket. The man was, for the time being, genuinely in love with me. We lounged, smoking and fondling for an hour or so, on a big divan, and then went to bed.
Restall had made every preparation for the night. I could see that I was expected to go well through it. Whiskey, brandy, burgundy and champagne were provided, in case they were needed, likewise, raw eggs and Brand's essence. Restall was not a young man and needed extra stimulants.
I sat on the bed in my chemise, the former rolled up and showing a brilliant expanse of white thighs; Restall, smoking, stood and gazed.
'Well, Nemmy, what shall we do first?'
'Why ask me?' I answered; 'I am only a kid while you've had all the most beautiful actresses in London in your bed. I am beginning, you are blase, do what you like with me; my body is all at your disposal. I have the greatest regard for you and I think you are the cleverest man I have ever met.
'Make me your little slave, eat me if you like; fuck me till you kill me; anything; I'm ready for ANYTHING, and now you can have it! I'm hot as hell!' and I slid my chemise off and lay back naked, my legs open.
The subsequent fuck was delightful, hot flesh meeting hot flesh. It was certainly a long one, and Restall pulled out at the end.
'Put it in your mouth, darling,' he said. I drank it.
After an hour's talk, Restall's tongue ran riot over the exploits of his youth, he clasped me firmly, made me put his penis in and began very slowly. 'I want this to be a long one, kid, I'm mad with lust.'
For half an hour he fucked and talked; suddenly he became impetuous, gripped me violently, ravished me madly and fell prone upon me, and while I felt his outpourings, I fainted.
When I came to, he was still in the same position; the penis was still stiff, the grip tight, but he was strangely inert. I heard no sound of Breathing and shook him. I managed to get my hand to his heart; there was no beat and I was terrified.
Was the man in a cataleptic fit-or was it- but I dared not think. I struggled to free myself from that embrace but in vain. I might have been in a vice. His arms were locked round my body, his legs round mine; only my arms were tree. I struggled again and again to free myself, but in vain.
The man was indubitably dead. I remembered having heard that his heart was weak. I remembered also that there was on record a case where a dead man had to be separated from a girl by force. For another quarter of an hour I supported the intolerable position, hoping against hope that it was a seizure only.
At last I stretched out my hand and rang the bell. Presently a knock came on the door, a man's voice answered the enquiry.
'I wish to see the manageress only,' I answered. Luckily we were in my room. Another knock came: 'The door is locked but I am too ill to getup,' I answered, 'have you a duplicate key?' I heard a jingle of keys and managed to stretch my hand up and switch off the light.
I heard Madam, the manageress, fumbling her way into the room. 'Please shut the door and lock it,' I answered; 'I have a terrible thing to tell. Mr. Restall is dead in this bed with me- and worse! Promise me you will be discreet, and — turn up the light.' Very few words passed. She was a strong woman and eventually forced the corpse from me. She covered it with a sheet, while I hurried into a dressing gown.
'I can see that there must be no scandal,' she said, 'obviously Mr. Restall had died from heart failure. Help me carry him back to the other room and I will send for the doctor later. You had better leave the hotel by the first train in the morning and go to Aberdeen. Pretend to know nothing till the telegram comes to the theatre. You can rely on me to be absolutely discreet-for Mrs. Restall's sake, not yours!'
I went by the first train and had breakfast at my rooms, to the great surprise of Jean, who had not expected me until late in the day, and about 11 a. m. went down to the theatre. From the faces of those present it was obvious that the news had arrived. Presently, men began posting up notices that the theatre was closed. The assistant stage manager assembled the company and sent us all back to London that night. All salaries and details would be settled in time by Mr. Restall's trustees.
So ended my connection with Herbert Restall and my first engagement on the stage.
CHAPTER IV
We arrived in London a little before midday, I had little idea of what to do. I only had a few pounds, besides, of course, the royal jewellery gift. This I did not want to pawn. Jean had not come as the proprietor of the Music Hall had offered him an engagement. The parting did not break my heart.
I took a room at a small hotel and slept most of the day. I dined alone and bought a ticket at the Pavilion Music Hall. The performance did not interest me, and half way through I got up and started to go home, when passing through the promenade I felt a hand on my shoulder.
'Hein, my little spitfire, how goes it?' I turned to confront Lewis, and gasped.
'Oh, let us be friends,' he said, 'I hear all about your success with that poor Mr. Restall; you shall come to my company now.'
Well, it ended in supper and the wine and the rest made me rather abandoned; I showed too much leg and made far too much use of my eyes. Lewis was very fascinated. 'And vat do you do now?' he asked.
'I don't know-I haven't much money.'
'You come mit me.'
And I went.
I followed him in the hansom and we were spinning homewards. Lewis was not affectionate in the cab. He merely gripped my hand tightly but my skirts remained chastely around my ankles.
The journey was a short one and we soon drew up before a stucco portico. A middle aged woman opened the door, apparently quite unmoved at my coming. It was obvious she reckoned me just one of the loose women whom Lewis brought home for his transitory pleasures. 48
He passed through a nicely furnished hall and we found ourselves in a delightful little dining room, with a table laid for four.
'I thought you would rather have a hot supper,' he said, 'you look a little faint, my dear.'
'But why covers for four people?' I asked.
'Oh, that means nothing; I had meant to bring some men in to gamble, but that's off, now I've luckily met you.'
The prospect of a good supper reconciled me to a marvellous degree to the position I was in. He busied himself with a bottle of champagne.
'The young lady will have the front room, I suppose,' said the housekeeper with a nasty emphasis on the 'young lady', as she laid down some dishes.
'You mustn't mind her, Nemmy,' said Lewis when the door had closed, 'she's a little blunt, but she's a jewel of a housekeeper,' and then we fell upon the supper.
