ots and its moistened fringe our
mixed juices, the remnants of our first spend together. When she had
washed she laid down by the side of me. "Let's have a nap," said she.
The wine seemed to be getting into her head more and more, though she
was but in the slightest degree fuddled.

I could not sleep. The sight of her breasts relieved from her stays, the
free manner in which she let her petticoats lay half up her thighs, the
delight at finding her take pleasure in my embraces, exulted me beyond
measure. I joked and tickled her. "Let's see you naked." "You shan't."
"Well stand up, and let me see your limbs naked,--take off your
petticoats, even if you keep your chemise on." She was yielding, took
petticoats off, but would do no more. I had seen more than any other
man, and she would do no more, she said. The wine had evaporated, and
she was herself again, quiet, composed.

Maddened with desire. "I'll give you a sovereign," I said, "to take
the chemise off." "Will you!" "Yes." "No I won't." "I'll give you two."
"What can you want to see more for?" "Hang it, take the money, and
let me, or I'll rip it off without paying." I closed with her, and
struggled, pulled the chemise up above her haunches, pulled it down
below her breasts, tore it. "Now don't,--I won't have it," said she
getting angry, "it won't please you if I do,--you will not like to see
me half as well afterwards, I tell you." "Yes I shall,--here is the
money,--now let me see you naked, I'll give you three sovereigns."

She pushed me away, and sat down. "Where is the money?" said she. I
gave it her. "I've got an ugly scar,--I don't like it seen." "Never
mind,--show it." Slowly she dropped the chemise, and stood in all her
naked beauty, and pointing to a scar just below her breasts, and about
four inches above her navel, "There," said she, "is it not ugly?--does
it not spoil me!--how I hate it!"

I told her no,--that she was so beautiful, that it mattered not. Yet
ugly it was. A seam looking like a piece of parchment which had been
held close to a fire and crinkled, and then glazed, star-shaped, white,
and as big as a large egg lay between her breasts and her navel. It was
the only defect on one of the most perfect and beautiful forms that God
ever had created.

"There," said she covering it up, "you won't want me naked again,--now
I dare say you don't like me as much." Yes I did. "Do you?" "Yes." She
came and kissed me. I often had her as naked as she was bo