produce. But these reflections were not of long duration, for she again began talking to Susan, and the burden of every period was “Come and kiss me.”
At first I kept a respectful distance.
“So,” said she, addressing me, “that big boy there won't come and…?”
I advanced and kissed her cheek, not yet daring to venture on the mouth, but still I was rather bolder than at first. She thus divided her caresses between me and my sister for some time; and at last I had made such progress, that I did not wait to be told when it was my turn. By degrees my sister desisted, and I had the exclusive privilege of enjoying the lady's kisses, while Susan was content with words.
We sat on the sofa and chatted, for Madame Dinville was a precious gossip, Susan on her right, myself on her left. Susan looked in the garden, Madame looked at me, and amused herself with uncurling my hair, pinching my cheek, and gently patting me; I also amused myself with looking at her, and her easy manners soon emboldened me. I became quite impudent, yet she said nothing, only looked at me, laughed, and let me continue my sport. My hand descended insensibly from her neck to her bosom, and pressed with delight upon a breast whose elastic firmness rebounded to the touch.
My heart swam in pleasure, as I grasped one of those charming globes, which I handled as I pleased. I was going to put my lips to it; for by pushing forwards we reach the goal. I do believe I should have followed up my fortune to its proper conclusion, had not a cursed marplot, in the person of the bailiff of the village, an old ape sent by some demon jealous of my happiness, made his entry into the antechamber.
Madame Dinville, roused by the noise the old booby made, said to me: “What are you about, you little rogue!” I withdrew my hand hastily; my effrontery was not yet proof against censure; I blushed, and thought myself lost; but the kind lady saw my embarrassment, and gave me to understand by a gentle slap accompanied with a charming smile, that her anger was only a formality, and her looks convinced me that my boldness was less disagreeable to her than the arrival of the bailiff.
He came in-a tiresome blockhead!-After coughing, spitting, sneezing and blowing his nose, he made his harangue, which was more disagreeable than his personal appearance.
Had we escaped with that, it had not been far amiss; but it appeared as if the old knave had ordered the whole village to follow his example; for clown after clown came to pay their respects, until I grew almost mad. When Madame Dinville had replied to a great many foolish compliments, she turned towards us and said:
“Well, my children, you must come and dine with me tomorrow, and we shall be alone.”
It seemed to me that she meant to cast her eyes on me as she said the last word. My heart rejoiced in this assurance, and I felt that, without doing my inclinations any wrong, my little self-love had no dislike to be flattered.
“You will come, Susan,” continued Madame, “and will bring Silas with you” (for such is the appellation of your humble servant). “Silas, adieu,” said she embracing me, which I was no way backward in returning.
I certainly was in a condition to do myself honor in the eyes of Madame Dinville, had it not been for the unexpected visit of those stupid people with their still more stupid compliments: but what I felt towards her was not love, it was only a violent desire to do with some woman as I had seen Father Polycarp do with Annette, and the delay of a day imposed on me by Madame D. seemed an eternity. I attempted, as we went home, to get round Susan, by calling to her mind the occurrence of the previous evening.
“What a simpleton you were, Susan,” said I, “did you think I wished to hurt you yesterday?”
“What did you mean then?” said she.
“To please you much.”
“What!” said she, appearing to be surprised “by putting your hand under my petticoat, could you give me pleasure?”
“Certainly, and if you like I will prove it to you directly,” said I: “come aside with me here.” I anxiously read her countenance, to ascertain what effect my words had produced, but I saw nothing more usual. “Will you now, my dear,” continued I, caressing her.
“But,” replied she, without seeming to notice what I had proposed, “what is the pleasure of which you speak so highly?”
“It is,” I answered, “the union of a man and woman who embrace, closely pressing each other, and who finish by swooning while so locked together.” I kept my eyes on my sister's face, and concealed the emotions which agitated me. I perceived, by the heaving of her bosom, that she was becoming gradually excited.
“But,” said she, with a simplicity which seemed to augur well for my designs, “my father has held me as you say many times, and I never felt any such pleasure as you promise me.”
“That is,” I replied, “because he did not serve you exactly as I should.”
“Indeed, what would you do then?” inquired she, with a tremulous accent.
“I would put something between your legs,” returned I boldly, “something which he dare not put.” She blushed, and her confusion gave me an opportunity of continuing in the following terms: “You know, Susan, that you have a little slit here,” and I pointed to the part where I had seen Annette's slit.
“Ah, who told you that?” asked she, without raising her eyes.
“Who told me!” I replied, somewhat embarrassed by her question; “why all women have one.”
“And the men…?”
“The men,” I answered, “have an instrument at the place where you have a slit. This instrument is put into the slit, and thus produces the pleasure that a woman has with a man. Shall I show you mine? I will, if you will let me touch your little slit: we will tickle each other, it will be so delightful.”
Susan blushed red as fire. My discourse seemed to surprise her; and she looked as if she could hardly believe me. She said that she dare not let me put my hand under her clothes, for fear I should deceive her, and go and tell all about it. I assured her that nothing in the world would induce me to disclose it; and to convince her of the difference that I said existed between us, I laid hold of her hand, which she withdrew, and we continued our colloquy till we reached home.
I saw very well that the little slut had a taste for my lessons, and that if I should again catch her gathering flowers, there would be no difficulty in preventing her from crying out. I burned with desire to put the last hand to my instructions, and to add thereto a practical illustration.
We had scarcely entered the house, when we saw Father Polycarp come in, the object of whose visit I could easily divine; and all my doubts were removed when his Reverence announced that he was come to take a family dinner with us. They thought Ambrose was far enough off, and it is true he rarely disturbed them; but women are generally pleased to be rid of their husbands, however easy they may be, those creatures being always ill-omened animals.
I had no hesitation in believing that I should have the same exhibition as the day before, and I instantly resolved to tell Susan of it. I rightly thought that such a sight would be an excellent means of advancing my own little affair with her. I however said nothing at present, but put off the trial till after dinner, not meaning to have recourse to this expedient but as a decisive maneuvre in case of extremity.
The monk and Annette were under no restraint from our presence, thinking no harm could arise from us. I saw the Father's left hand slip mysteriously under the table, and she agitated to open her thighs, to make a free passage for the fingers of the fornicating old monk.
Annette, for her part, had one hand upon the table, and the other under, most likely returning the holy Father's compliment. I was up to it; the most trifling things strike a mind already prepossessed. The reverend gentleman tippled with a good grace, and she followed his example; so that her inclinations began to be a little constrained by our presence, and she told us to go and take a turn in the garden; I understood what she wanted. We arose directly and by our departure gave them liberty to do something more than put their hands under the table. Jealous of the happiness that our absence gave them an opportunity of enjoying, I wanted to make a further attempt to get over Susan, without showing her the picture that I meant otherwise to place before her eyes. I led her towards an alley of trees, whose thick foliage produced an obscurity very well suited to my purpose. She perceived my design, and refused to follow me so far.
“Stop, Silas,” said she ingenuously, “I see that you want to talk to me again about that… very well, let us do so.”
“What, do I please you then by speaking on that subject?” She replied in the affirmative.
“You may judge, my dear Susan, from the pleasure that conversation has given you of what you would…” I said no more; but looked at her, as I pressed her hand against my heart.
