Pauline

bed.

In the theater, one sees nudity every day, and I realized it would take more than bare flesh to bring about a union between us. I might add here that I was dressed somewhat scantily; my only garment, besides a short silken undervest, was a kimono of pale silk, and low bedroom slippers on my bare feet. I took advantage of this scant apparel to bring about a better understanding between us. “I must beg your forgiveness for allowing myself to be caught so,” I began, motioning to my dress.

'Pray forget it,” he said. “I quite understand. It is rather warm and I am delighted that you are considerate enough of your own comfort to dress accordingly.'

'But,” I insisted, a wave of almost uncontrollable lust sweeping over me, “I am almost naked!” I laughed to show I wasn't frightened.

'Pray! It is no matter,” he said, smiling his sweetest. “Again let me say I think your dress is quite satisfactory. However, since my visit here was but to meet you, may I withdraw?” He kissed my fingertips and withdrew before I could ask him to stay.

I was vexed with myself and I spent a dreadful night. My thoughts were filled with nothing but that wonderful man. There was one consoling thought, however; on the morrow, he would be back, and I promised myself that I would never be so silly again. In reality, I had meant to call attention to my scant dress hoping in that way to attract him into my arms, but he was a gentleman and took my remark as a desire on my part that he withdraw. I cursed myself for a fool!

If he had but known the easy conquest I would have been, I am sure he would have stayed with me, and instead of kissing my fingertips, he would have had something far more substantial to kiss. After he departed, I slipped out of my gown and undervest and donned my nightgown. Standing before my glass and viewing my image, I patted my hairy mount, saying aloud, “Very, very soon, my dear, you shall have something far more thrilling to caress than a mere tongue tip.'

The following day was a long one for me, though he arrived shortly after lunch. Taking advantage of his suggestion that I dress for comfort rather than for convention, I was wearing an outfit not unlike that of the previous day, the only difference being that my gown was of black georgette crepe, and I wore black silk stockings. The black gown accentuated the whiteness of my body and limbs. Somewhat daring, don't you think, my friend? But I can tell you I was desperate; I had been pricked with Cupid's dart-it remained but to be pricked with my lover's!

This time he complemented me on my thoughtfulness in dress.

'Do you realize that you are very beautiful?” he asked, “and that I'm afraid I shall never be able to withstand your nearness?'

I thrilled as his eyes swept over me, for while my gown covered, it did not in the least hide the outline of my body and legs! “Nonsense,” I laughed, “You have seen any number of handsome women, and you seem to have survived.'

We seated ourselves upon the divan. There we went over the lines of the play. You are familiar with the playRomeo and Juliette so I won't tire you with the story. Enough to say that the balcony scene is unusually thrilling. Romeo, as you know, is supposed to climb the balcony, and here he is to meet his mistress, Juliette; Juliette is supposed to have just gotten out of bed and is wearing but a nightgown.

If you will recall, I told you earlier in this story that the whole of Europe had gone mad over exotic scenes both in and out of the theater, and I had been given to understand from the start that this particular scene in our coming production was to be enacted in a somewhat unusual setting. Instead of wearing a nightgown, I was supposed to wear a white georgette crepe dressing gown. As we sat there scanning our lines, he came to this particular situation. “You are being called upon to assume a most unusual role,” he said, without raising his eyes from the page.

'Yes?” I said. I also kept my eyes riveted to the paper.

'Yes,” he said. “I hope, however, that you will have no objection to wearing the scant attire this scene calls for.'

'Why should I?” I asked, trying to answer nonchalantly. “After all, it's all in the play, and the play's the thing, isn't it?'

'I'm afraid it won't be all play on my part,” he said.

'Indeed? And why not?'

'Because,” he answered, “carrying such a beautiful lady, and having one so beautiful as yourself quite nude might prove too thrilling-I might drop you, you know.'

I laughed at this. I knew we were treading on dangerous ground, but I didn't care; I was more determined than ever to win this handsome man to my arms! “Don't tell me,” I said, laughing, “that I will be the first naked woman you have held in your arms!'

This time it was he who laughed, then: “I would rather not talk of that. However, if I have ever done anything like this, the lady was far less beautiful than yourself.'

'That is very beautifully said. I hope, however, that you will not be so overcome that you will drop me. That, I'm afraid, would be too dreadful for words!'

'Rest assured, I shall not,” he said.

How we ever passed through the day without any overtures on his part I shall never be able to tell, for God knows, I did everything possible to impress him. On three distinct occasions I recrossed my legs, each time giving him a full view of my naked thighs to the very tops, and each time slowly drawing the folds of my scant gown over my knees.

Yet, nothing happened.

The following day, it was the same thing, and the day after that. By this time, we had familiarized ourselves to the extent that we were ready to go over our lines together. That is, we were far enough advanced to practice our parts.

That day I had dressed very carefully. I rid myself of everything except the lacy dressing gown and slippers, and the gown was a buttonless affair. I was looking forward to practicing the balcony scene, though I was careful to hold my gown together until it came time for that thrilling moment

But nothing happened. We went over everything again and again-but for some unknown reason, he didn't think it necessary to practice the balcony scene.

Finally I came to the conclusion that if I were to get anywhere with this man I must make the advances myself. Going about practically naked seemed to make no impression on him whatsoever. True, he never failed to compliment me on my attire, but compliments did little to quell the burning within my aching cunt!

It might be mentioned here that I had managed to get a very good maid, and my housekeeper was relieved of the burden of caring for my home. This maid, however, was the worst kind of a greenhorn; I doubt very much if she knew there was more than one use for her pussy. I had given her hints enough, but she simply looked at me when I flitted about in complete nakedness.

And so, without even the comfort of my maid or my housekeeper, I found myself getting desperate. Something had to be done. I said, “Why not arrange to have dinner with me tomorrow night! There is no reason why you shouldn't, is there?'

He hesitated a moment, then said, “Why, I would be delighted! No, there is no reason why I shouldn't.'

This was my first real step in paving the way to love! Real love between a man and a woman! Already I pictured myself lying naked in his arms! Already I felt his lips kissing and caressing me from head to foot.

'You are married?” I asked, hardly knowing what I was saying.

'Whatever gave you that impression?” he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don't know,” I said. “I should hate to be the cause of trouble between you and your wife. I am glad, however, that you have none! I shall be expecting you-early!'

I'll never forget the strange light in his eyes as he kissed my fingertips at parting!

Believe it or not, my friend, I had to take an opiate that night before I could go to sleep. I didn't really want to sleep; I took it only so that I might speed the hours until I was to see him again.

The next day everything was hustle and bustle. I am not the world's best cook, but I managed, with the help of my maid, to prepare a delightful dinner. This done, I dismissed the woman, telling her I would not need her again that night.

From the icebox, I produced several bottles of champagne and the choicest wines, placing them in a