The old Duchess of M was to give her long projected and splendid costume ball. It had been the talk of the town all last season, but court mourning had postponed it. It was to surpass anything and everything her Grace had ever done. That was by no means trifling, for she was celebrated for her lavish hospitality.
Then there was the ever varying charm of the Opera-of the theatres. In fact, I was in fairyland.
Papa and I sat much together. He appeared to take great delight in my society. I made it my study to please him. The house had received a new impetus; a new life, since his return. Mrs. Lockett, the new housekeeper, was assiduous and painstaking. Her eye was everywhere. Even John had to be on his guard lest by word or look he should betray some incautious instance of familiarity. Needless to say, no chance existed any longer for a renewal of our secret intercourse.
Nevertheless, I suffered. I chafed at the restraint.
'Good night, dear child, good night and pleasant dreams. You seem dull and out of spirits today.'
'No, dear Papa, I was only thinking perhaps that I should take more exercise on foot. Walking is always sure to improve the appetite. I will do so tomorrow.'
I did dream that night-not altogether unpleasantly. I dreamed of the great Charlemagne-and of my papa.
'Shall I call a cab, miss?'
'No, thank you. I will walk. The exercise will refresh me. Your shop is rather warm. Please send my purchases without fail tomorrow.'
It was already getting dark. I noticed a man who persistently passed me. Then he would let me overtake him. On doing so he looked each time pointedly in my face. At last he touched my elbow in going by. I was approaching a quiet street, which led me home by a short cut. I began to regret I had not brought the footman. The man kept now a little in front. I saw him furtively take note of me in the windows as we walked on. He was short and broad. He wore a long overcoat. Suddenly the man quickened his pace. He turned into the entrance to a yard upon the left. I wondered at his movements. I was in doubt as to his object in acting so strangely. I looked down the yard as I passed. He was standing opposite me in the full light of a gas lamp. No one else was near. His coat was open. Without the least attempt at concealment-in fact, he was holding his dress open-he exposed to me his naked person.
The strangeness of the thing bewildered me. I had been thinking of John as I walked. I was at first horribly startled and shocked. In a flash later the absurdity of the affair irresistibly possessed me. I wavered and opened my eyes wide, I suppose, at the sight. Then I passed on. As I did, the man smiled. He looked down at his nakedness. There was no mistake. He held in my full view a long and stout limb, stiffly erect.
All this had only taken a second. The blood rushed to my head. I walked past. I paused again. The thing excited me. I was in a state to receive such an impression. My curiosity was aroused. I retraced the few steps I had taken. The stranger half turned so that I should lose nothing of his exhibition.
'Come here, I won't hurt you.'
'What are you doing that for? You will catch cold.'
The impulse was irresistible. I moved nearer. I seized the limb in my hand.
'Not while your hand is so warm. Come down here. I will show you why I did it.'
It was now quite dark. The poor street was dimly lighted. The man led the way. Instinctively I followed. I trembled a little, but not from fear.
'This is a timber yard. There is no one about at this hour. I know the people. It's all right.'
The timber was on every side. Between it there were lanes. A sharp turn put us out of the direction of the gas lamp. My companion turned. He put his limb again in my hand. He kissed me before I well knew what he was about.
'What a pretty girl you are! Do you like that? Isn't it a fine one? We are quite safe here.'
He took me round the waist. I could not resist squeezing the thick limb I held in my grasp. I actually pressed it with delight and desire. He might well be proud of it, I thought. He kissed me again. Overcome with a sensation of diabolical lust, I kissed him back. He took all sorts of liberties with me. It was too late to resist, even had I possessed the means, or the desire. He held me tight with his left arm while with his right hand he lifted my clothes. He passed his wanton hand underneath. What he found only increased his libidinous instincts. His fingers touched my legs-mounted slowly my plump thighs. They inserted their tips in my moist and excited parts. I could not resist the throbbing, tickling sensation with which they inspired me. He seemed to subdue me by his influence.
'Oh, please be careful of my dress! My clothes! You must not. Really you are too rough! Be more gentle. I will let you feel. Oh!'
All this time he was making use of filthy and disgusting language. His intention was obvious.
'We can do it here, my dear, hold up your clothes.'
It was quite dark now. We were round a corner, well out of the radius of the gas-lamp. He pressed close to me in front. I felt him slip his long, stiff, hairy thing upwards against my naked belly. He was fumbling about to adjust it to his liking. I was now overcome with desire. The indelicacy of the thing never seemed to occur to me. Lust for enjoyment took possession of me. I put my hand on his limb again. I placed the tip between the hot lips of my slit.
'Put your foot up on this piece of wood, my dear. Stop, here is a place that will suit us nicely.'
As he spoke, he moved me to one side. He lifted me bodily on to a projecting plank which formed a convenient seat. I opened my thighs, my silk stocking agleam in the pale lamplight. He held me round the hips. I again assisted him. One thrust sent half the length of his member into my body.
'Oh, my dear life! But it's in now. How delicious! How tight it is! Hold up! Catch me on the shoulders. Sit forward, my dear.'
He seized me tight as I sat. He pulled me closely to him. He commenced the act with frenzy. He worked up and down, withdrawing the thick shaft to the knob. Then he thrust it up again. I held tight with both hands. I partook of the pleasure. My brain reeled. I gasped. I moaned. He worked harder than ever. My parts were in a churn of liquid ecstasy. I feared to let him see how I enjoyed. Presently the end came. I felt his limb harden suddenly throughout its length. He discharged copiously. A deluge of seed spouted into me.
'Oh! Oh! You must have it all! It's coming still. It's, it's-oh! My dear life! What a treat!'
He withdrew quickly. He lost no time in readjusting his clothes. In another second he was gone.
I hastened along the quiet street. Of course there were no vacant cabs in view. I turned a corner. I found myself in a better thoroughfare. I stopped before a well-lighted pastry cook's shop. I read an announcement, 'Afternoon Tea.' I entered, overjoyed to find myself safe. Behind the shop was the tea-room. Behind that again a smaller room, also with small tables for tea. I traversed all. I sat down. A nice-looking woman in a rustling silk dress and white apron, followed me. I ordered tea.
'Will you wait a little, or shall I serve you now?'
I wondered why she asked. I did not immediately reply. I demanded the ladies' retiring room. There I rearranged all my disorder. On my return, the tea had been served. There were two cups on the tray.
'Please bring me tea-cake and some ginger nuts.'
The nice-looking woman appeared disconcerted.
'Are you quite alone? Is it tea for one, miss?'
Suddenly the explanation came to me. I had heard of these little 'Afternoon Tea' shops. This was one. I glanced around. In one corner was a tiny iron spiral staircase. A small door, which closed with a spring, let from this room towards the side of the house. I took all in directly.
'Yes, I am alone, as you see. I fear there has been some mistake. My friend will not come now.'
The kind-looking woman smiled. She evidently thought I was disappointed.
'Never mind, he had probably mistaken the time.'
'No doubt. Where does that staircase lead to?'
The shopwoman smiled again. She evidently did not believe in the sincerity of my ignorance. She leaned forward and whispered:
'You have been here before, miss. I thought you knew all our little ways, all our little arrangements. You ought to know where it goes.'
'Still, you see, it is pleasant to revisit old scenes.'
