handsomely
furnished inside (although I only saw the top-room). Two or three years
afterwards there was a row there, a man tumbled down the stairs (or
was pitched down), and was picked up dead. The owner of the house was
transported. I don't know if it was the same man who was called Bill,
but suspect it was, and that many a visitor had been bullied out of his
money in that house.

One night about this time I saw a well-grown, stout woman who looked
four-and-twenty. "What a thigh she must have," thought I, "can I afford
her?" and I felt in my pocket. Ten shillings with the room besides was
too much for me that night. I passed her again looking her in the face,
and longing for her, until she knew me and smiled. She had a bright
laughing eye. Summoning courage I gave her a signal, and she followed me
up a bye-street.

"I have only five shillings." "Lord! you do want it cheap,--make it ten
shillings." "I can't." "Well _I_ can't." "Three half-crowns, and then
with the room I shan't have a shilling in my pocket." I used to speak in
that frank way to them. She laughed. "You are an odd sort of chap,--well
come along,--what house are you going to take me to?" "Where you
like,--I don't know them." "Oh! yes you do," said she, "you know well
enough with that eye of yours." We turned into a house which we both
knew, not one of the most expensive.

I was exceedingly pleased with her manner, and in her house still more
pleased with her face. Her eye was one of the merriest, she was bright,
and fresh-colored, yet the general color of her flesh was slightly
brown. Her plumpness made me so randy I could scarcely wait to feel or
look at her, I wanted to push on to the fullest pleasures at once.

She eyed me pleasantly, and made some remark about the smallness of the
sum, which made me uncomfortable. She saw it, and laughing showed a set
of beautiful small white teeth. I gave her her money at once, and
then began preliminaries. The room I recollect well. There was a
large four-post bed, a large wire screen three feet high all round the
fire-place, like those in nurseries. The house-woman flattened the fire
down, and took away the poker,--to prevent the fire being stirred I
suppose. There was but one candle, and the room was dark, there was
scarcely gas in any of the houses in those days.

I drew her to me, my hand roved about her bum, belly, and notch, I asked
her to undress, desire increasing by the feel of her thighs made me
inqui