pt my doings with my
first woman, Charlotte. At the beginning of my writing these memoirs,
this was among the first described. The narrative as then written was
double its present length, and I am sorry that I have abbreviated it,
for the occurrences as I correct this proof seem to come on too quickly.
Whereas we dined at seven o'clock, and it was one o'clock I guess before
we all went to bed together, and the stages from simple voluptuousness
to riotous baudiness and free-fucking were gradual. At eight o'clock not
one of us would have dared to think of, still less to suggest, what we
all did freely at midnight.

CHAPTER XV.

Morning headaches.--An indignant housekeeper.--A saucy
valet.--Consequences.--Fred leaves England.--Lady A...'s
invitation.--Laura a widow.--Farewell Laura.--Adieu Mabel.--
My guardian's remonstrances.--Parental advice.--Ruined.--
Reflexions.--My relations.

With headaches, heated, irritable, thirsty, worn out, we arose; the men
quiet, the women quarrelsome. The women began to dress, some where
they had slept, some in the other room. We went down to Lord A..., and
awakened him. He went upstairs, and bawled out to the housekeeper (he
had rang the bell violently several times without her appearing).
"Make us some tea directly," said he. She answered, "I shant,--make it
yourself." "I'll dismiss you if you don't." "I ain't going to make,
tea for prostitutes," said she, "and we are not going to keep in such a
house." Fred said the wine was bad, or his head would not ache so.
A... said Fred knew nothing about wine. Mabel who had heard what the
housekeeper said, bawled out that she would go up, and tear her eyes
out. The free-fucking tone was gone, each man seemed jealous, and spoke
harshly to his woman. At a remark of Marie's, Lord A... told her to go
to another room. No, she should not till Mabel was out of the house.
Mabel not quite sober, told me I had better go home with Laura. Fred
said Laura would go home with him. Laura was quiet, and tried to get
Fred to leave with her, and told Mabel she would be better if she took
less liquor. At length we separated. We four were going to the same
house, but went in separate cabs, then to our own rooms, and had
breakfast separately there,--a thing we never had done before. We always
lived in Laura's apartments, and shared the expenses.

After breakfast Mabel and I went to bed, late in the day we awakened.
I was refreshed, for