he
wretched substitute I so much envied yesterday. I am quite sure it
would give you as much pleasure as it would me." And at the same time,
while I supported her with one arm round her waist, I placed her hand
upon the object to which I drew her attention, and which, throbbing
fiercely, lay extended along my thigh. Emboldened by her allowing her
hand to remain upon it, I unbuttoned a few buttons and removed my
shirt, when out it started stiff and erect as a piece of ivory. When I
again placed her hand upon it, I felt it grasped with convulsive
eagerness. Excited beyond measure by this, I slipped my hand under her
dress, bringing it up along her thighs until it reached the object of
my adoration, and gently insinuated a finger within its moist lips.

The touch of my finger, however, within such a sensitive spot seemed to
rouse her at once, for she started up, saying, "Not now, Frank, not
now, dearest. You must let me go. I must have time to think over this.
I know you won't refuse me when I tell you I cannot remain with you at
present. There, that is a good boy, go back to the drawing room, and I
shall follow you immediately." At the same time she gave a fond
pressure on the sensitive plant she still held in her grasp, imprinted
a warm kiss on my lips, and then tore herself from my arms.

I felt that the place was not such as to enable me to attempt to carry
the matter farther at present, and delaying for a minute or two in the
conservatory that I might calm down my excitement a little, I slipped
quietly back to the drawing room. To cover the agitation I still felt,
I again joined in the waltz with the first partner I could find. In a
few minutes Laura returned to the room, nor could anyone have possibly
discovered from her manner that she had so recently undergone such
violent emotion. I could hardly believe it possible that the seemingly
proud and haughty girl was the same panting, trembling creature who had
so recently been in my arms.

I soon, however, found reason to regret I had not chosen a more fitting
reason for my denouement, in which case I might perhaps have turned it
to greater profit than I appeared likely to do. With the morning, she
had recovered all her coolness and self-possession, and had evidently
determined on the course she was to pursue. She did not leave her room
till breakfast time, and afterwards evaded all my stratagems to obtain
a private interview with her.

After luncheon the horses wer