e unoccupied. I crept softly up, not dreaming for a
moment that Leah could be there at such an hour. But on putting my eye to
the chink I found I could see a bed, and on it were Leah and a young man,
both stark naked, and occupied in working out Aretin's postures to the
best of their ability. They were whispering to one another, and every
four or five minutes I had the pleasure of seeing a new posture. These
changes of position gave me a view of all the beauties of Leah, and this
pleasure was something to set against my rage in having taken such a
profligate creature for a virtuous woman.

Every time they approached the completion of the great work they stopped
short, and completed what they were doing with their hands.

When they were doing the Straight Tree, to my mind the most lascivious of
them all, Leah behaved like a true Lesbian; for while the young man
excited her amorous fury she got hold of his instrument and took it
between her lips till the work was complete. I could not doubt that she
had swallowed the vital fluid of my fortunate rival.

The Adonis then shewed her the feeble instrument, and Leah seemed to
regret what she had done. Before long she began to excite him again; but
the fellow looked at his watch, pushed her away, and began to put on his
shirt.

Leah seemed angry, and I could see that she reproached him for some time
before she began to dress.

When they were nearly clothed I softly returned to my room and looked out
of a window commanding the house-door. I had not to wait long before I
saw the fortunate lover going out.

I went to bed indignant with Leah; I felt myself degraded. She was no
longer virtuous, but a villainous prostitute in my eyes; and I fell to
sleep with the firm resolve of driving her from my room the next morning,
after shaming her with the story of the scene I had witnessed. But, alas,
hasty and angry resolves can seldom withstand a few hours' sleep. As soon
as I saw Leah coming in with my chocolate, smiling and gay as usual, I
told her quite coolly all the exploits I had seen her executing, laying
particular stress on the Straight Tree, and the curious liquid she had
swallowed. I ended by saying that I hoped she would give me the next
night, both to crown my love and insure my secrecy.

She answered with perfect calm that I had nothing to expect from her as
she did not love me, and as for keeping the secret she defied me to
disclose it.

"I am sure you would not be g