his gallantry for the companion of his pleasure shone out even if his heart remained untouched.
'If you knew as much of society at large as I do, little Beauty, you would not be so much astonished. You do not know how society is made up-all its hollowness-all its rottenness. You only obey a natural impulse. Unknown to yourself you have flung from you the unnatural restraints which society pretends (mind, I say only pretends) to cast around you. Without being aware of it, you have returned to that condition of primitive life which is best represented by the topsyturvy account of Adam and Eve-to the primitive condition of existence when the sons and daughters of mythical Adam and Eve- brothers and sisters-enjoyed each other-coupled and procreated.'
'My dragon-do you know you interest me very much? Where did you attain your philosophy?'
'I have not passed all these years in the detective service for nothing. Shall I tell you, little lady-little Beauty that I kiss and worship-that but for the accident of the indisposition of a comrade you would never have met me the other day! But so it is. I was only at Bow Street to fill the place of the inspector who was ill. I am employed generally in the secret service of the force, as what is known to the public as a detective in plain clothes. It is my duty to penetrate, if I can, by the aid of my brains, the criminal combinations, the society mysteries, scandals and infamies-aye, and the political intrigues of those against whom I am let loose. I am the sleuth-hound of the London Police, but I should be very incapable of the execution of my duty were I not exceptionally fitted to fulfill its various requirements, and to sustain its constant strain on nerves and brain.'
'You make me quite afraid of you, my dragon.'
'On the contrary, little Beauty, you must see that I only want to be your friend. You have nothing to fear from me. Like yourself, I love to indulge my animal instincts. When I am free, I would be a sensualist always if I could. Shall I confess? You have given me a chance I could not have hoped for-a treat of the senses which I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams of sensuous enjoyment.'
'Did I give you so much pleasure-my fiery dragon? You little know how your words excite me. I could have no pleasure in the act if you did not demonstrate your own enjoyment also. Every sigh-every little muscular vibration which serves to betray your gratification thrills me with a kindred emotion. Tell me more about yourself.'
'What shall I say? Well, you see in me a man of energy with a very shady sort of calling. Is it not so? Yet I would tell you that I have received an excellent education. My father even intended me for the church. Nothing would satisfy my restless spirit. I scorn the quiet hypocrisy of the conventional clergy. I found one out in his iniquity. I convicted another of gross vice. I hurled the idea of the so-called sacred calling to the devil. I devoted my restless energy to the discovery of such social problems as interested me. I became what I am from choice-not altogether from necessity-a detective.'
'You must have had a large amount of experience. You must have gained a thorough knowledge of London life.'
'I kept my eyes open. I had access to all sorts and conditions of society. I studied their ways-I learned their habits-I was up early and late to take note of their iniquities. The result was-at any rate to me who expected to find purity and refinement-disappointing. I gradually came to the irresistible conviction that society in London was rotten to the core-that at no period of English history, not even in the days of the Second Charles, or in those of the Georgian Regency, was the outward contempt of everything noble and virtuous and the meanness of individual indulgence at the expense of others who should have been trusted and respected, so distinctly marked and openly encouraged. I found the married lady glorying in her adulterous lust. The single woman no less abandoned, advocating free intercourse as a mere measure of health. I found a nobleman, old enough to be your grandfather, charged with infamous offenses- members of the clergy in the same predicament, and a whole troupe of noble lords and ladies who were content to drag their dirty linen through the divorce court.'
'Your experience has certainly been somewhat varied, dear Dragon.'
'You are right, little lady, very much so! What wonder that the middle and lower classes go wrong, when even the highest authorities flaunt their contempt for decency-I will not say 'morality'-before their eyes. Women, faded and abject in their worn-out attractions, strut in public, content to exhibit themselves as the quondam favorites of those in high places-unconscious that their popularity and their vices go hand in hand and are equally stale.'
'Your view of modern English society is not encouraging.'
'No, certainly it should not be so-but it is true. When you see women well-known and holding recognized positions in life, degrading themselves to the so-called investigations of the kraals at Earl's Court, taking the brutes away in their carriages, prating to their no-less-demoralized associates of their exquisitely beautiful soft velvet skins, their huge limbs and their dog-like proclivities for bestial indulgence-what is there left to be said of the refinement, the austerity, or even the modesty of modern London society!'
'Is that really true? Is it within your knowledge?'
'All that, and very much more-but I have done. It reminds me of Satan reproving sin. I am a sensualist at heart. I should scorn to creep behind a husband's back and debauch his wife, or take a young girl from the lawful custody of her parents to satisfy my selfish passion. When pleasure is offered I accept it-but it must be so far as my own perceptions go, willingly accorded. It must be, so far as I can see, without detriment to my companion in voluptuousness, or to anyone else.'
We rearranged our disordered toilets. We parted. 'Dragon' gave me an address at which I could always hear of him. He insisted that I should not write it down. I committed it to memory.
'Tickets, please. Two first class to H. Thank you, sir. Yes, I can lock the door if you like. Best train this, sir; no stoppage before arriving at C. The next is H.'
Papa took me on his knee. We were off at last. We chose a Tuesday. We avoided all the weekend people-we were alone.
'How fast the train goes! I feel so happy now. I am sure this trip will do you good, Papa. We both seemed to want air.'
'It will also benefit you, dear child. London seasons are dearly bought as to their enjoyment, when you consider the wear and tear. What pretty little boots, my darling Eveline! How well they fit! What graceful outline of instep and heel! What delicate kid, and then how soft and flexible! You are so simply, yet so beautifully dressed, you would rouse an anchorite.'
'If I can only succeed in pleasing my darling papa, I shall have arrived at the zenith of my desires. Oh, but you are roused already- wicked, naughty Papa.'
My hand was on his limb. I unbuttoned his trousers.
'Does my dear papa like his little Eveline to comfort this unruly thing? Does he like my soft touches? Do they give him pleasure? How stiff this is!'
He lolled back in his well-cushioned seat as the train sped along. I seized on his stiff limb and released it from its confinement. Papa closed his eyes and enjoyed my toying. The sturdy weapon stood boldly up in the bright sunlight as it streamed in at the carriage window. I rubbed it up and down. I closed my softly gloved hand upon it. The head grew purple with excitement. A bit of fluid emerged from the tip. How I longed to lick it! I stopped my movements.
'Where are we going tonight, papa dear? What have you arranged?'
'We have tickets for H. We'll sleep there. I know an old- fashioned hotel in the town with an interior garden, and plenty of fresh air. Just the place in which to repose for a couple of days.'
'How delightful! This sweet thing must not be too impatient. Little Eveline will give it all the pleasure in her power tonight, but my dear papa must not overexert himself.'
Two bedrooms adjoining-a delicious sitting room looking into a well-kept garden, in which the budding flowers already blossomed brightly. The rooms well stuffed with rich old furniture-everything polished, bright, and clean.
'My darling! My beautiful Eveline! Tonight!'
We dined well. I had the woman's weakness for sparkling wine. He liked it also. The cuisine was good. We were well served. We strolled in the garden. And by the sea. We came back to our rooms refreshed. We enjoyed our tea. We sat at the open window and inhaled the pure fresh air of the country perfumed with the sweetness of the flowers below.
I was already in bed. He came quickly from his room. I extended my arms. I opened the bedclothes. I showed him my form which only my fine lace-trimmed chemise served to cover. He flew into my embrace. Our bodies were in closest contact. I warmed him in my naked arms. He was radiant with lust to enjoy me.
