hands trembled. His dress was disordered. He held in his hands a towel with which he was bathing my aching parts. He assisted me at my toilette. As I passed out with Lord L I noticed that the door on the left of the corridor was ajar. I peeped through. It gave access to a little cabinet, not larger than the inside of a double brougham. In the partition which separated it from the chamber where my adventure had taken place there was one bright point of light which shone from a round hole the size of a wine cork. A hasty glance explained all. The carved fretwork of the bracket on which stood the China vase was perforated just under the shelf, and quite invisible from that side. I understood all with that streak of light. Lord L had witnessed everything that had taken place. I hastily followed papa who had already descended the stairs. He awaited me. I am not a fool. I kept my discovery to myself.
Chapter 4
Wedding bells! The usual bustle and fuss. The usual ceremony. The usual lies on both sides. The usual hypocritical admiration of everybody for everything, and behold the day had come-in fact, had half gone-when I was made Countess of Endover.
The marriage was necessarily quite a quiet one. The ceremony was made as short as possible. A few intimate friends appeared at the church. The dear old Duchess of M insisted on being there. She was one of the few whose compliments were not all flattery.
Lord Endover really looked almost handsome in his uniform as Lord Lieutenant of the county. Papa and Percy paid him the honor of acknowledging his military standing as Lieutenant Colonel of militia by also arraying themselves in their state panoply of war.
The three sisters of my husband were present of course: the Honorable Maud, a confirmed old maid; the next a widow, Lady Tintackle; the youngest, plain, spiteful, and nine-and-twenty, yet a spinster, with every chance of remaining so, Margaret by name. She had begun life with one or two notorious escapades, from the result of which nothing but her brother's influence and position had saved her. The wave of disdain with which society overwhelms offenders flagrantly transgressing its unwritten laws and detected never quite ceased to ruffle her future. The men were shy. All three sisters regarded me with little favor, jealous already of a new influence asserting itself between their brother and themselves. I foresaw a great need for caution in my intercourse with my noble connections.
We were all relieved to get home. Lord Endover and papa were closeted in the latter's study with the family solicitors. The ladies were wiling away the half hour before breakfast in the drawing room. I had found an excuse to escape to my room. I bolted the door. I sat down in my favorite armchair before the glass. I was engaged in admiring myself in my beautiful wedding dress. I was so glad to be alone. I wanted to think. I had many ideas to arrange.
We were to spend the honeymoon-how I hated that word! — at Endover Towers. The state rooms had been specially prepared. The place was said to be arranging a festive reception for the Earl and his young bride. The village was en fete. It was all to be very gorgeous and gay.
I was still before the glass. Five minutes had not yet gone since my entry. Already there was a tap at the door. I rose and opened it. My brother Percy pushed his way in. He immediately closed and locked the door again.
'Now I shall have at least a private view.'
'What do you mean, your naughty boy?'
'Oh, it's no use riding the high horse with me, little countess! Your ladyship will please descend to the level of ordinary life.'
He had seized me by the wrist; his other arm was round my waist in an instant.
'Oh, Percy! Please leave me alone! Someone may come.'
'I'm going to give the new Countess of Endover her first lesson in-Why! You have no drawers on! Fancy a countess without drawers?'
'You really must not tumble my skirt! Percy! For shame?'
He had put me before the large armchair. Before I could prevent him, I was made to kneel in it. He began raising my skirts from behind. All protestation were in vain. I was in horrible fear someone would want to come in. Still nothing was more natural than that my brother should come to offer me his private congratulations. He had only seen me before that day in the church. We had scarcely exchanged a word.
'Oh, Eve! Dear, Eve! I've sworn to have you first after your marriage. I will not be denied. You looked so divinely beautiful at the altar-like an innocent angel of light. I declare I could hardly keep the buttons on my trousers. Turn your head, dear Eve, and look!'
I did as I was bidden-all power of resistance seemed to pass away. What I saw fired my hot blood.
'Oh, Percy! You wicked boy! It is bigger and bigger! Make haste then! I shall have to go downstairs in a few minutes.'
He pressed his belly to my bottom. My wedding dress and underskirts were thrown over my back. In another instant he was into me, up to the balls. There was no time to lose. He knew it. He worked fast to arrive at his climax. My own arrived. With a low groan I sank my head on the cushioned back. His weapon straightened- hardened. With a sigh of lustful frenzy Percy discharged.
Ten minutes later I entered the drawing room. Breakfast was announced. Lord Endover was complimented on all sides. He disposed my beautiful bouquet on a side table. There was no fuss- there were no speeches-only our health's in champagne. Then a retreat to the drawing room and conservatory. That evening at five- thirty we entered the village and drove straight to the Towers. The local volunteers with their band bade us welcome at the station. All was in readiness for our reception at Lord Endover's noble seat. It was a grand old pile. The family had bought it some two hundred years before from the original noble family who had held it since the time of the Conqueror.
I pass over that portion of my history which relates to my early married life. I am not a hypocrite from choice, but from the necessities of my position. Lord Endover never relaxed his fondness of reciprocating his passion; I sought a retreat in our beautiful country seat in Cumberland. The autumn session of Parliament had been summoned. There were weighty political issues in the balance; my husband had to be present.
It was then I heard sad tidings from my old home in F Street, Mayfair. Lord L wrote often. In one of his letters he told me that John, the footman, having been sent to St. John's Wood on an important commission, had met with an accident. He had been run over by a cab. He was badly hurt. Conveyed to a hospital, he never quite recovered consciousness. All that could be made out was a ceaseless cry for 'ginger nuts.' Papa bought the poor fellow some pounds of them, but all they got from him still was 'ginger nuts!' And so he died.
It was in the strong bracing air of the country that I reveled, until the obligations of my position necessitated my return to London. Lord Endover had gone to Scotland where he had taken a moor. I had decided not to accompany him. The weather had turned cold and wet. A week on a visit to my old home would be enjoyable. Papa received me with a transport of delight.
'My darling papa is always in the thoughts of his little girl.'
'My sweet Eveline! You are more beautiful than ever. You have become rounded and fuller in the figure. The country air has been most beneficial to you. I have had no news from you lately of a private nature. Tell me, my darling, has Lord Endover any hopes that-'
'I know all you would say, dear papa. He has none, nor do I desire he should have. It is never likely to be as you suggest.'
'I am not surprised, my dear Eveline; it is then as I thought.'
'I am determined, papa, never to perpetuate the race of the Endovers. It is bad blood. If even I had a child, a son-my offspring should have a father capable of procreating a new and healthy race which should endure- otherwise I am content to remain as I am.'
He took me in his arms. We mingled our kisses in tender dalliance. We were alone. The opportunity was propitious. It was not lost. Our gasping sighs of ineffable enjoyment alone broke the silence.
'Oh! My Eveline! What pleasure you give me!'
'My sweet papa! You drown me in ecstasy! I am yours-yours only! What sweet adultery!'
'Oh, Eveline, my child!'
In lascivious whispers we expanded the ideas which served to whet our ardent passion. Monstrous
