"The Adventures of Father Silas" - читать интересную книгу автора (de Farniente Beauregard)

CHAPTER THREE

Susan's relation had greatly excited me, acting strongly on my imagination. Although I had affected to conceal my tears from her, my impassioned looks had betrayed me, as well as other visible proofs of sensibility which the subject would naturally produce: she had observed my movements, and was delighted at having produced the effect she desired, but dissembled her satisfaction with considerable artfulness. I was equally astonished and emboldened by her conversation. These vivid and animated pictures of the feelings and proceedings of Agatha in a position very much resembling our own, could only have been produced by a person whose heart was penetrated with the sweets of love. She had concealed no part of her conduct, nor in any way avoided giving things their own names. If we had been in the shaded alley, I should have taken the occasion to represent each picture she drew in their very life. But that was not her intention; and why not? How could I make that accord with what she had been telling me? Resolved to follow up my design, but taking care not to frighten Susan, I took other measures, seeking, in her recital, for arms to carry on my attack. I first asked her whether Agatha was pretty?- “As an angel,” replied she, “and a girl possessed of such charms is sure to please.” “But, Susan,” said I, “it is to be feared that her amorous inclinations will make her miserable.”-“Do not deceive yourself,” said Susan; “as I said, she has but recently taken the veil,, out of complaisance to her mother. The period for pronouncing her vows is not yet come; her happiness depends on the death of a brother, her mother's idol. It is probable that he will not outlive his sister's novitiate. He has been wounded in a brothel at Paris…”

“A brothel! What's that?” I asked, by presentiment, I suppose, of what was to happen to me in one.

“It is a house occupied by girls of easy virtue, who receive with complaisance the homage of libertines, and accede to their wishes, for what they can get by it. Their inclination leads them to this manner of love, and pleasure induces them to continue it.”

“Ah!” I exclaimed, “I should like to be in a town where there were such houses as those. And you, Susan?” She did not reply, but I understood from her looks that this passion had as powerful dominion in her heart as with the ladies occupying the houses above mentioned.

“I dare say,” continued I, “that Agatha would go there as readily as her brother.”

“No doubt; she loves the men to madness.”

“And you, little hussy,” I replied, “you don't like them?”

“I should like them-but it is dangerous to have intercourse with them.”

“Do you think so? It is not half so much as you imagine. Women do not always breed after it. Our neighbor here has been married a long time, and has never had a child.” This instance appeared to shake her.-“Hark ye, Susan,” I continued, and as if inspired by an intelligence beyond my years, “Sister Agatha told you that when Martin put it into her she was filled up with what he gave her; no doubt it was that which begot the child.”

“Very well!” said she, looking at me to read in my eyes an explanation without exposing herself. “What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean,” said I, “is this; that if it is what the man spends that produces the child, it is easy to prevent it by withdrawing when it is coming.”

“Ah, but can one do so? Have you not seen two dogs one on the other? It is in vain that you beat them- they cry out, drag each other along, but are so united that they cannot separate. Say now, what a start it would be if any one were to surprise a man and woman similarly circumstanced!”

This objection upset me; Susan appeared to have foreseen what I meant to propose to her. She seemed to await my answer, and could I have read her heart, I should have seen how she regretted having suggested a difficulty I was unable to surmount. I was deeply interested in the removal of this prejudice, as I saw that my happiness in great measure depended on doing so. I remembered well enough that Father Polycarp had no difficulty the day before in separating himself from Annette. I should have mentioned this, but I was rather inclined to let her see it for herself. My arguments did not persuade her, but her own desires made up the defect. She still affected to insist on her objection, and wanted an example to convince her. At the moment I saw the good man Ambrose come out of the house and go down the street. His departure afforded me the best possible opportunity for effecting my purpose; as I did not in the least doubt that the Father and Annette would take advantage of his absence, to make up for the time lost while he was at home. I said to Susan, with an air of assurance, “Come along, I will show you what a mistake you lie under.” I rose and helped Susan to do so, after thrusting my hand under her clothes without meeting any serious resistance.

“Where are you going to take me?” said she, as we made for the house. The little slut thought I was going to lead her into the alley, whither she was ready enough to go, and how much more fortunate had it been for me! But I had not sufficient experience to see that she desired nothing more. I feared she would still resist, and, besides, my destiny drew me along. I answered that I was going to conduct her where she would see something to please her.

“Where's that?” said she, as we approached the house.

“In my chamber,” I replied.

“In your chamber, indeed! No, no, Silas, that will not do; you will be at something with me.”

I swore I should not meddle with her, and I observed that she was not sorry that, by promising to be on my behavior, I had given her an excuse for accompanying me. What a pleasure I feel in recalling these happy moments of childhood! The habit of gratifying all my passions, and the immoderate use of pleasures have not deadened my sensibility for these sweet moments of my life.

We reached my chamber unperceived; as I held Susan by the hand, I perceived she trembled; I walked on tiptoe, and she followed my example. I motioned to her not to speak, and made her sit down on my bed. I went gently up to the partition, but there was no one there. I told Susan that they would not be long.

“But what do you mean to show me?” said she, puzzled by my mysterious proceedings.

“You will soon see,” said I, and immediately, in advance of the privilege that I reckoned the sight would give me, I threw her backwards on the bed, and attempted to slip my hands up her thighs. I had not reached her garter, when she started up, and declared that she would cry out if I dared to touch her again. She even made me believe she would go out, and I was simple enough to think her in earnest. I was quite confounded; my heart palpitated, and I durst scarcely answer her, and though I made but a stammering business of it, she was easily induced to remain. I almost despaired of gaining my point, when I heard the door of Ambrose's chamber open.

“Here they are,” said I, making a sign for her to be still and drawing closer to her on the bed. I soon went to the partition, and drawing aside the picture which covered the hole, I saw the Father embracing Annette and giving the most unequivocal proofs of his good will towards her. There they stood, motionless, and closely locked in each other's arms, as if meditating the grandeur of the mysteries they were about to celebrate. All attention to their movements, I waited for them to proceed a little further before I beckoned Susan to approach. The good dame, tired at last of such long musing, disengaged herself from the monk's arms, and throwing off her stays, petticoat, and shift, stood before me in all the naked beauty of nature. How delighted was I thus to see her! My amorous frenzy, which had been somewhat excited by Susan's resistance to my wishes, was redoubled at the sight.

Susan, having observed how much I appeared to be interested in what was passing, had got off the bed, and come towards me, without my perceiving it.

“Let me have a look,” said she, pushing me gently aside.

This was exactly what I wanted, so I let her take my place, and eagerly watched her countenance to see what impressions the spectacle made on her. At first she colored, but I was too certain of her amorous propensities to fear that what she saw could have any other effect than the one I expected. As she kept her place, I was somewhat curious to ascertain how the example operated, and accordingly slipped my hand up her clothes. I met with but little resistance, as she only pushed down my hand, without, however, preventing it reaching her thighs, which she kept closely squeezed together. I owed the facility with which I succeeded in parting them to the transports of the combatants behind the partition. I could count every push that was made by the Father or his paramour, by the progress of my hand up her charming thighs. At last I reached the goal, and she then abandoned herself entirely to me; opening her thighs to let my hand revel at its ease amid those hidden charms. I did not omit to profit by this opportunity, and putting my finger to the very centre of sensibility, I found that there was scarcely room to admit it. On finding that the enemy had taken the citadel, she trembled, and continued to do so at every motion of my finger.

“Now, I have you, Susan,” I whispered; and raising her petticoat behind, I saw the finest, whitest, firmest little arse that can be imagined. How perfect was its shape! How exquisitely rounded! None that I have since seen can be compared with it for a moment. What heavenly buttocks, of a roseate hue more beautiful than even her face! With what rapture did I smother them with kisses! Yes, indeed, they merited my most fervent adoration, but they had a neighbor whose attractions would not let me stop to worship them long. I knelt before this charming little rump, and kissed it in an ecstasy; but Susan had a thousand other beauties that aroused my curiosity. I rose transported, and fixed my eager eyes on her lovely bubbles, which were hard, firm, and rounded by love itself. They heaved and sank alternately, and seemed to require a hand to steady their movement; so I gently pressed them with mine. Susan let me do as I pleased, and kept looking attentively through the peephole. I was delighted at this, but her attention was much too great for my impatience. I burned with a fire that nothing but enjoyment could abate. I wished to have her naked, to satisfy myself with the sight of the whole, of which I had kissed and handled such ravishing portions. I thought this would content me, but I found the contrary to be the fact when I had pulled off her clothes, to which she offered no resistance. I too was naked and sought means of gratifying my passion. Thousands on thousands of kisses, the most expressive tokens of love, were infinitely short of my feelings. I tried to make an entry, but, owing to her position, I was obliged to begin the attempt from behind. She opened her legs and thighs, but the entrance was so small that I could not get in. I put my finger in, and withdrew it covered with the dew of love. I then made fresh efforts to take possession of the place my finger had just quitted, but the same difficulty prevented my success, in spite of all my partner's assistance.

“Susan,” at last I began, enraged at the obstacle that her stupid attention to other people's matters opposed to my happiness; “come away; we will have as much pleasure as they.”

She looked at me, and I saw by her eyes how much she was excited. I took her in my arms, carried her to the bed, and laid her on her back. When she opened her thighs, my eyes were instantly arrested by the sight of a bright little rose, just beginning to bloom. Light colored hair, in a thousand little curls, was just beginning to overshade a hillock which the most delicate pencil could but feebly portray. Susan lay without stirring, and awaited impatiently for some more sensible and satisfactory tokens of my passion. I endeavored to give them, but made a sad mess of it, sometimes too high, sometimes too low, wasting my strength in vain efforts. At last she guided me and well did I know that I was in the right road then. A sharp pain, which I had no thought of finding on a road that I expected to find strewn with flowers, for a moment arrested my progress. Susan experienced a similar inconvenience, but we were not to be deterred by trifles. She tried to enlarge the passage; I pushed, and she seconded every motion. I soon reached the halfway house. Susan looked at me with languishing eyes; her face was inflamed, she breathed at long intervals, and imparted to me a prodigious heat. I swam in an ocean of pleasure, and hoping for still greater, hastened to snatch them. O Heaven! That such blissful moments were to be troubled by the most cruel misfortunes! I was pushing most vigorously, when my infernal bed gave way, and fell, making a horrible clatter. This fall might have been favorable, since it helped me to reach the end of my journey, though with grievous pain to both of us. Susan had the utmost difficulty to refrain from screaming. Dreadfully frightened, she would have torn herself from my arms, but I was mad with love and rage, and held her tighter than ever. I paid most dearly for my obstinacy.

The noise alarmed Annette, who opened the door, saw how her son and daughter were engaged, and stood staring at us, almost petrified with surprise, and was unable to approach us. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words died away on her lips. Susan had fainted; her tender eyes were shut and she had neither the courage nor strength to rise. I looked at Annette and Susan by turns; at the former with fury; at the latter with grief. Emboldened by the statue-like immobility of Annette, I wished to profit by it; I pushed, and Susan gave signs of life, she heaved a deep drawn sigh, opened her eyes, and pressed me more closely as she returned my motion. She began to spend, and her raptures delighted me. I was just on the point of partaking them, when Annette rushed upon me and tore me from the arms of my dear Susan. I was too exhausted to offer any resistance, and remained almost insensible in her grasp.

In the meantime Father Polycarp, no less curious than Annette, had entered, and was not much less astonished than she, at what he saw before him; for there lay Susan on her back, stark naked, rubbing her eyes with one hand, and covering the sinning part with the other; as if that could conceal her charms from the eyes of the lecherous monk.

Neither my surprise, rage, nor fear had made love's weapon lose its stiffness; Annette gazed on it; and the sight procured me her forgiveness. I felt that she was gently withdrawing me from the chamber. I scarcely knew what I did but I followed her. She conducted me to her chamber, shut the door, and bolted it. Fear then awoke me from my trance, and I wished to fly from her resentment; but she reassured me.

“Silas,” said she, “I don't mean to hurt you.” I did not believe her and still kept distance. She approached me, and when I saw her arm extended to seize me, I drew back, but in vain, for she caught me by the staff.

The confusion at being in statu natural did not hinder me from being surprised at seeing her quite naked; a moment before she was at least decently dressed. My tool soon regained in her hand the strength and stiffness it had partially lost. Annette pressed it, and I looked at her slit. She then lay down on the bed, and pulled me on her.

“Come along, my little stallion, put it in there, bravo.”

I did not wait for anything further, but, meeting with little opposition, I thrust it in up to the hilt. Having been predisposed by the prelude with Susan, I soon felt a glow of delight, which deprived me of my senses, and Annette received the first-fruits of my virility. Thus at the first stroke, I made a cuckold of my imputed father, but what odds!

I was going to repeat the delightful exercise, but was interrupted by a stifled noise proceeding from my chamber. Annette seemed perfectly aware of what was going on, and called to the Father to leave off. She hastily dressed herself and hastened to prevent things being pushed too far.

She had no sooner turned her back than I flew to the hole. I there saw the monk holding Susan in his arms, who had partially dressed herself, but he had lifted up her petticoat and shift, and I guessed that the noise was caused by the excessive dimensions of his Reverence's member, as he made many useless attempts to put it into a place that was never meant for him. The appearance of Annette put an end to the struggle; she snatched Susan from the monk's embraces, gave her two or three slaps on the back and sent her out of the room. It appeared that those vigorous proceedings had somewhat exhausted the good dame, and that she had not strength enough left to show Father Polycarp how much she disapproved of his conduct. It is not often that a monk is wanting in impudence; but, in this instance, the Father could hardly bear up against the shame of being caught in flagrante delicto and the reproaches that he expected Annette was preparing to shower upon him; or more probably against the disgrace a monk must incur by failing in an amorous encounter with a young girl. His color came and went without his daring to look at Annette, who, for her part, seemed agitated by similar emotions. I watched them attentively from my peep-hole, and feared that I was about to witness some fearful crisis; but I was altogether mistaken. The monk was confused, but his instrument stood forth like a poker. I suppose monks are always so. Annette was in a terrible rage, but when she saw the monk's staff her anger abated; and a reconciliation took place. He approached her, and as he put his tool into her hand I heard him say:

“Well, if I cannot have the daughter, I will the mother.”

Annette had quite forgiven his faithless behavior, and sealed his pardon on the wreck of my unlucky bed.

“Very good,” said the monk as soon as he had recovered his breath, “do you think I do it as well as Silas?”

“What do you mean by that?” said she. “Do you think I have done anything with him?

“The little rascal has hid himself under my bed, and there let him be till Ambrose comes home: I warrant him, he shall have his hide well tanned.”

“Come, come, Annette,” said the monk, “let us have no disagreement; you know very well he cannot always stay here, and he is big enough now, isn't he? I shall take him with me when I go.”

“I think you had better,” replied Annette; “for if the little scamp remains here, you and I can do nothing; I fear he has discovered us already. Most positively he has,” continued she, as she cast her eye on the hole in the partition; “good heavens! I never saw that before; no doubt the young dog has been watching us.”

I was afraid she would come to examine me on that subject, so I retreated as far as possible under the bed, and remained there, though I was very curious to hear the conclusion of a dialogue which so closely concerned me. I was not long in suspense, for I soon felt some one pulling me from my hiding place, and was fearful of its being Ambrose. If he had seen me there, I should have found myself in a rather awkward position.

It turned out however, to be Annette, who brought my clothes, and ordered me to dress immediately, which I did, quite regardless of the lecture she was giving me all the while. When she had duly arranged her own toilette, she said:

“Come, my boy, you must go with me to the rectory.”

I did not much like this news, for the good priest had rather too often given me most striking proofs of his affection, and I rather feared that I was to do penance there for my recent conduct.

We arrived, and I found my apprehensions groundless; Annette presented me to the holy man, and requested him to let me abide some few days in his family. Prom this I concluded that when Father Polycarp returned to his convent, he would take me with him.

The good priest in whose family I was thus domesticated, was one of those curious specimens of humanity that one cannot look at without laughing. He was about four feet high; and his face was enormously out of proportion with his stature, being at least a foot wide and of a rubicundity not to be produced by drinking water; a Negro-like nose, somewhat carbuncled, little black lively eyes, a narrow forehead, and a curly black beard, completed the portrait of the reverend gentleman. Though appearances were rather against him, he had not been altogether unfortunate among the ladies, if we might believe rumors afloat in the village. It is said that he had other qualities which do not meet the public eye, that rendered him a favorite with his female friends.

I must now say a word of his most respectable housekeeper. Madame Francoise was an ugly old witch, as malicious as an ape, and as wicked as the devil himself. She was about sixty, but would not own to more than forty; she had been with his Reverence some fifteen years, and had contracted the habit of always indentifying herself with him, by continually making use of the plural pronoun we. If any one came to order a mass for his dead or living relations, after receiving the cash, her answer was-“We will say it as you desire”; and if sufficient remuneration was not offered the reply was-“We cannot do it.”

Beneath the shade of the flag that united Francoise and her master, grew up a young woman, who passed as the niece of his Reverence, though she could have claimed a nearer relationship.

She was a great full-faced damsel, a little marked with the smallpox, very fair complexion, and fine neck and bosom; her nose closely resembled the rector's, barring the carbuncles, which had not yet burst forth, but promised fair at no very distant time; her eyes were small but shining. As for her hair, it might very well have passed for red, but as that is a proscribed color, and auburn is more fashionable, she called it auburn; but whether red or auburn was a matter of small importance to a certain priggish student, who often came to pass eight or ten days at the rectory, less for friendship towards the rector than his charming niece.

This young lady who passed under the name of Miss Nicole, was much liked by all the boarders of her worthy uncle's school. The day scholars, of whom I had long been one, were also eager to share in her good graces; big boys succeeded very well, but it was quite the contrary with the little ones, among whom unfortunately I was reckoned. I several times attempted to gain my point with the damsel, but my age was against me; and all my protestations that my face only was young, advanced me nothing, and to fill up the measure of my woes, Madame Francoise was made acquainted with my amorous propensities; who imparted her knowledge to the rector, who did not spare me. I was enraged at being so little, for I saw that all my sorrows sprang from it.

I grew quite disgusted with the difficulties I experienced with Miss Nicole; the repulses of the niece and the floggings of the uncle were rather too much for me; but my desires were not eradicated; they were only concealed, and the presence of Nicole served to arouse them. Nothing but an opportunity was wanting to make them burst forth, nor was it long before it arrived; but the order of things obliges me to turn to other subjects.

My reader will remember that the morrow of the eventful day which has so long occupied his attention was appointed for my second visit to Madame Dinville. I anticipated the pleasure I should enjoy from meeting my dear Susan, far more than that of visiting her godmother.

“At the chateau,” thought I, “are some sweet shady plantations, where I will induce her to go. The little jade is amorous enough, and will, no doubt, readily follow me. In that sweet solitude we shall have nothing to fear from rotten bedsteads or jealous mothers.” These agreeable ideas occupied my thoughts as I walked to the chateau. When I entered, everything appeared wondrous still, and I passed through several apartments without seeing any person. As I entered the rooms, one after the other, my heart beat high with the expectation of seeing my Susan; but I saw her not. At last I came to a chamber the door of which was shut; but as the key was outside, I had not gone thus far for nothing; so I opened the door, and was a little startled at the sight of a bed, which I thought was unoccupied. I immediately heard a woman's voice asking who was at the door, which I recognised as Madame Dinville's. I turned to go back, but she prevented me by crying out:

“What is it my little Silas? Come and embrace me, my darling.”

I was now as bold as I had been bashful, and rushed into her arms.

“I like,” said she to me, with a satisfied air, “a young lad that knows how to be punctual.”

Scarcely had she finished speaking, before I saw a foppish little personage enter the chamber from the dressing-room, singing, or more properly murdering the air of a new and popular song, marking each cadence by a pirouette that corresponded marvelously well with the singular tones of his voice. At the sudden apparition of this modern Amphion (it was an abbe), I blushed for myself and Madame Dinville, and was suspicious that I had, by coming upon them unexpectedly, somewhat inconvenienced a party that cannot be agreeably composed of more than two persons, for I had no idea that a man could desire the company of a woman for any other reason than the one which was always uppermost in my own head.

I examined him with great attention, and reflecting that he was an abbe, I sought to discover in what he differed from other people. My understanding of the word abbe was very imperfect; as I fancied that they must all resemble the rector or his curate; and could hardly reconcile their steady deportment with the singular extravagances of the gentleman before me.

This diminutive Adonis, called the Abbe Filot, was receiver of taxes at the neighboring town, and was very rich, God knows by what means. Like most of the fools of his order, his learning was very inferior to his impudence. He had followed Madame Dinville to her country-seat to contribute to her amusement.

The lady rang the bell, and I heard some one enter; it was Susan. My heart leaped for joy at thus finding my hopes realised. She did not see me at first, as the curtain of the bed on which Madame had made me sit down partially concealed me; I may observe, en passant, that the abbe was rather jealous of the liberty that the kind lady had given me, and seemed to think it very bad taste on her part.

When Susan approached the bed, she saw me, and her beautiful cheeks were instantly suffused with a blush; she cast down her eyes, and could not speak for agitation. I was in a condition very little differing from hers, excepting that instead of looking at the floor, my eyes were intently fixed on her. Though the charms of Madame Dinville were not to be condemned, I should most certainly have decided for Susan-had it not been that I felt very uncertain of success with her, while with her godmother everything promised a prompt fruition of my desires. When Susan received a message for the chambermaid, she went out, and my attention was devoted wholly to Madame Dinville. I did not at first perceive that while my thoughts were debating the question relative to Susan and Madame Dinville the abbe had disappeared. The good lady had seen him go out, but, thinking that I also was aware of his absence, she did not say a word to me about him. In a few moments she leaned towards me, and took my hand with a languid look that plainly told me that there was no obstacle on her part to my happiness, and let it fall on her thighs, which she opened and closed in a most lascivious manner. Still supposing that the abbe was in the room, I hesitated to make my advances, though I could not help observing her reproachful looks.

“Are you asleep, Silas?” she at last exclaimed.

A gallant by profession would have profited by such an occasion to vent a whole load of nonsense, but I simply replied:

“No, madam, I am not.”

Though this answer made her think me less forward than my conduct at our previous meeting implied, it did me no injury in her estimation, but rather the contrary; it suggested the idea that I was a novice in the art of love, and she would have the pleasure of giving me the first lesson. My indifference showed her that the mode of attack she had adopted was not suitable, and that something more striking was requisite to move me. Accordingly she threw herself into a posture that rendered visible a greater portion of her charms. The sight of them aroused me from my reverie, drove the idea of Susan from my mind, and made me over, body and soul, to Madame Dinville. Perceiving the effect produced upon me by this stratagem, and still further to encourage me, she asked what had become of the abbe. When I looked round and saw he was no longer there, I felt what a fool I had been.

“He is gone out!” said she, and affecting to arrange the counterpane, because she was too hot, she discovered a thigh of an extraordinary whiteness, on the top of which the corner of her chemise seemed to be laid for the express purpose of preventing me seeing further, or rather to excite my curiosity in a greater degree. I caught a glimpse, however, of something reddish, that caused an emotion of which she well knew the cause; and she adroitly reconcealed the place that had produced the very effect she desired. I took her hand without the slightest resistance on her part, and kissed it passionately; my eyes were inflamed, and hers bright and all animation. Everything seemed to be going on miraculously well, but it was written that in spite of all these fine chances I should not be successful; for a cursed chambermaid came at the very nick of time when she was not wanted. I dropped the hand in a moment, as the girl approached, laughing like a mad thing; she stopped a moment at the door to have her laugh out before she came into her lady's presence.

“What's the matter now?” said the lady rather sternly.

“O madam,” replied the wench, “the abbe…”

At this moment in came the abbe, covering his face with a handkerchief, and the servant laughed louder than before.

“What ails you, sir?” cried the lady.

“Look at my face,” said he, “and see what Susan has done.”

“Susan!” exclaimed the lady, laughing with the rest of us.

“Yes; this is what a kiss has cost me,” said he coolly; “but I do not think it is buying it too dear.”

The abbe did not seem much to mind the infliction, and joined the laugh against himself with a good grace.' Madame Dinville, after flinging a few jokes at the poor abbe, rose and went to arrange her toilette for dinner, and the little gentleman was very communicative of his advice on every particular, much to the discomfiture of the maid, who no doubt wished him to the devil. At the conclusion of this little business we all went to the dining-room.

There were four of us at dinner: Madame Dinville, Susan, the abbe, and myself. I cut rather a foolish figure, when seated opposite to Susan; but the abbe, who sat by her side, put a good face on the matter, and pretended not to mind the raillery of our hostess. Susan was rather confused, and I saw by her stolen glances at me that she wanted us to be alone. When the dinner was over, I made a sign to Susan, which she understood, and went out directly; I was going to follow her, but the lady stopped me, saying that I must be her squire, and that she was going to take a walk.

To walk at four o'clock in the afternoon appeared somewhat absurd to the abbe, but it was not for him that she proposed it. The abbe was unwilling to expose his complexion to the sun, so he decided on remaining within. I had much rather have run after Susan than follow my hostess, but I was forced to sacrifice my own wishes to one who did me so much honor.

The abbe looked after us, laughing till he almost swooned, as he saw us pacing up and down the walks beneath the broiling heat of the sun; to which the lady only opposed her fan, and I nothing, being always used to it. We made several turns with an indifference that amazed the abbe; I did not penetrate her plot, not could I conceive how she was able to bear such excessive heat. My quality of squire was becoming irksome, and I would willingly have resigned the honor; but I knew not what pleasant duties were in reserve to counterbalance the disagreeableness of the first.

When the abbe retired from his post as spectator, we were at the end of the walk, and my lady turned aside into a charming little grove which promised us a most delightful, cool walk, if we chose to enjoy it, and I made a remark to that effect.

“Very true,” said she, endeavoring to read in my eyes whether I understood the object of her promenade; but I had not the least idea of it.

She put her arm round me most affectionately, and leaning her head on my shoulder, her face came so near to mine that I should have been a fool not to kiss her. She let me do so, and I repeated it without any opposition; then I was awake to my position.

“O! This is just the thing,” said I; “here we shall be quite secure from interruption.”

I was not misunderstood; so we advanced in the labyrinth, the shelter of which was amply sufficient to seclude us from the sight of every body. She at last seated herself under a shady tree, and I followed her example, placing myself close by her side. She looked at me, pressed my hand, and laid herself down.

The lucky moment seemed come at last, and I began to prepare myself for action, when I perceived that the lady had suddenly fallen asleep. For a moment I thought it was only a drowsiness, induced by our promenade in the sun, which it would be very easy to dissipate, but seeing that it continued to increase rather than diminish, I could not tell what to make of it. I could have forgiven all this readily, if she had first allowed me to gratify my desires, but was exceedingly annoyed at being thus balked in the very instant of my triumph. My desires prompted me to awaken her, yet I dared not, lest I should displease and lose the enjoyment that I flattered myself awaited me when her nap was over. I could not refrain from putting my hand into her bosom, and I then withdrew her fan which she had stuck there. This not appearing to disturb her, I ventured on a kiss, of which she took not the least notice. I was becoming bolder every moment and wanted to descend a little lower. I put my head between her feet, with my face to the earth, and sought to explore the regions of love, but nothing could I see, for one leg was thrown over the other so as to completely cut off the prospect. Finding that I could not see, I was resolved to feel, and accordingly slipped my hand right up her thigh to the foot of the mount. When I reached the entrance of the grotto, I scarcely dared think of doing more; but I only felt more miserable for this partial success. I was eager to examine with my eyes what I touched with my hand. I then looked again at her face, not the slightest change was visible; the most imperturbable sleep seemed to reign over her; a twinkling of one eye rather disquieted me for a moment, and made me somewhat mistrustful, and had it not closely shut up almost immediately, I should have contented myself with what I had already done. I returned, however, to my lower post of observation, and began to raise the petticoat a little. The lady started, and I, trembling at my impudence, ceased all proceedings and resumed my place beside her, without daring to look towards her. I did not remain long in this constraint; I saw she was still asleep, and blessed my stars on observing that her legs were no longer crossed, the petticoat was drawn up, and all her charms lay exposed to my astonished eyes.

Her legs were most beautifully shaped, and her ivory thighs, round, soft, and firm, surmounted by a quim of bright carnation, encircled with a hedge of bushy hair, as black as jet, and exhaling an odor more exquisite than all the essences of the perfumers. I put my finger to it and tickled it a little, and afterwards, putting my head between her legs, I endeavored to thrust in my tongue. I stood with such force that nothing could arrest me. I could have poked the favorite sultana in the presence of a thousand eunuchs with drawn scimitars, ready to wash away my pleasures in my blood. Supporting myself on my hands, I touched her with nothing but my member; and a motion at once gentle and regular made me drink long draughts of pleasure, which were but the earnest of what I was to enjoy.

I gazed steadfastly in the face of my partner, and from time to time imprinted a burning kiss upon her lips. The precaution I had taken of bearing my weight on my hands in the rapture of the moment was altogether neglected. I fell on her, and could do nothing but embrace and kiss her with a frenzy amounting almost to madness. When my pleasure was over, I recovered the use of my eyes, and saw the transports of my lady without being able to participate therein.

“My dearest love,” whispered she, “give one more push! Don't leave the business but half finished!”

I put my shoulder to the wheel with an ardor that surpassed her own, and I had scarcely given four strokes before she was insensible. More animated than ever, I increased my pace, and in a moment lay motionless in her arms; both of us intoxicated with the full tide of bliss that flowed in upon us.

This ecstasy did not endure long, and when I withdrew myself from my partner, it was not without some little confusion, which was increased when I saw that she was looking hard at me. I was sitting up, and she put one arm round my neck, and made me lie down again on the grass, while with the other she was coaxing my instrument, and essaying by an abundant application of kisses to make him resume the stiffness he had lost. I was quite abashed at all this, and could not conceal it.

What would you be after,” said she; “surely you need not be afraid to show me an article that you know how to use so well! I hid nothing from you-here, you dog, kiss my bubbies; put your hand in my bosom; now the other to my slit; good! What a clever little fellow you are!”

I am not quite certain whether I ever had any modesty, but I think there would be little danger in asserting that after we had continued these amusements for some time my stock of that troublesome article was reduced to a minimum. My lance was now ready for the jousting that my antagonist so ardently desired; and to every embrace she most heartily responded by a volley of kisses. I still kept my finger in the centre of pleasure, and gradually parted her legs that I might enjoy a view of the charming locality. The approaches of pleasure are more delightful than the thing itself, nor do I think anything can be more delicious than thus to handle a woman who surrenders herself entirely to your voluptuous caprices. This amorous prelude must necessarily terminate in the grand climax, and vigorously did we carry on the lecherous conflict; she was all alive under me, and seemed to gather strength from every exertion, as she returned stroke for stroke with increasing eagerness and force. Mouth to mouth, with our tongues emulating the proceedings in the lower department, we soon attained the acme of our transports, and when the finishing stroke was made, our sensations were far beyond anything that pen can portray.

I believe some one has written that “Vigor is the gift of heaven.” It is possible that I inherited this blessing from my reverend and godly fathers as my only patrimony. I was not slow in dissipating my heritage-but I must not break the order of things in detailing my misfortunes here.

Notwithstanding all the proofs that I had given of my virility, Madame Dinville was not yet satisfied, but used every means she could imagine to make me renew the combat.

“O you rogue,” said she, giving me a kiss, “what- standing again! This dear jewel of yours, so hard, so thick, and so long, is worth a fortune to you. Bless me! So you are ready to begin again?” I answered this appeal by pulling her backwards.

“Stop a bit, my love, I want to give you a new pleasure. It is now my turn to roger you. Lie down, just as I did before.”

In a moment I was extended on my back, and she on me; she then put my staff into the proper place, and began to push away. I did not move at all, but let her work while I enjoyed the pleasure. I contemplated the charms above me, and she occasionally rested to smother me with kisses. A voluptuous sensation forewarned me of the approach of the critical moment; I then joined my exertions to hers, and we were shortly deluged with an overflow of love's peculiar distillery. After, I was in reality quite exhausted and could no longer resist the advances of sleep. My loving companion nestled my head in her bosom, that I might enjoy the sweetness of repose where I had tasted that of love.

“Sleep, my darling love, let nothing disturb you; I will content myself with looking at you.”

I followed this advice in good earnest, and slept so soundly that I did not awake till the sun was very near his evening goal. When I awoke, the first object that struck my eyes was Madame Dinville, looking at me with a sweet smile upon her countenance. She laid down her knitting, with which she had amused herself during my nap, and kissed me, slipping her tongue into my mouth. Her attempts, to arouse my enfeebled energies were, however, for some time altogether useless. Had I been allowed my own choice, I should have preferred rest rather than active service; but this was not the lady's design; she wanted to re-excite those desires that I no longer felt. Finding that her kisses and caresses produced but very trifling effects, she had recourse to another expedient; which was lying down on her back and pulling up her clothes, so as to expose all her charms to my view; at the same tune rubbing my tool till she saw that her point was pained. Then ensued another furious encounter, which was somewhat abridged by a rather premature discharge on my part. I was chagrined at having the affair thus abbreviated, but there was no remedy. When we left this sweet retreat we took a turn or two in the garden, and conversed as we went along.

“Well, my dear Silas, I am sure I feel quite satisfied with you; how did you like bur play?”

“As for me, I have no words to express the thousandth part of the pleasures I experienced.”

“Indeed,” said she; “but I fear that I have been imprudent in thus giving the rein to my desires. I trust you have some little discretion, my dear Silas?”

“Oh! I fear you love me but little, if you think I can abuse your kindness.”

She was pleased with my reply, and would have paid me with a kiss, had we not been in too exposed a situation; as it was, she pressed my hand against her heart and gave me such a loving look that it quite charmed me.

As we walked rapidly towards the house, I saw the lady cast an inquiring eye in every direction which I did not exactly understand, but I was not kept long in the dark on this point.

My capacity of esquire to the lady required me to conduct her to her apartment. I was then about to make my obeisance, and take leave of her, but she said to me-“You need not go yet, my dear Silas, it is not eight o'clock. Come, stay with me! I will make your peace with the good rector.” The idea of the parsonage was very disagreeable to me, and I was not sorry that the good lady invited me to stay. We shut the door and seated ourselves on the sofa. She took up my hand and pressed it in hers, looking at me attentively all the time. At last she broke the silence by asking me whether I did not want something more. I felt my impotence, and was silent.

“We are alone, my dear,” said she, redoubling her caresses; “nobody can see us, let us undress and get into my bed. Come here, my beloved Silas, I will soon make you stand.” We were in bed in a few moments, and I suffered her to proceed as she chose, out of complaisance rather than the anticipation of pleasure. All her attempts to restore my forces were futile, till she fetched a little bottle containing a whitish liquor, of which she took a few drops in her hand and rubbed it over my tool and its appurtenances, as the lawyers say.

“Come, my love, our pleasures are not yet over; you will very soon have something to say to me.”

Her prediction was not long in coming to pass. In a few minutes my weapon stood in a most extraordinary manner, and I became almost mad from over-excitement. I no longer saw, felt, or knew anything, but was ready to devour her-all my ideas were concentrated on her slit.

“Hold, my love,” cried she, snatching herself from my arms; “do not be so hasty; let us make the most of our pleasures; since their existence is but momentary, let it be exquisite. Put your head at my feet, and your feet to my head.” I did so. “Now put your tongue in my bower, and I will put your tool in my mouth. That's it! bravo! How delightful it is!”

And verily it was delightful! I seemed to float in an ocean of pleasures, as I thrust my tongue into her shell, and wanted to get my whole head in. Madame Dinville pressed my backside, and I her buttocks, while she tickled me with her tongue and lips. After some moments thus mutually employed, we both spent, and the pleasure which in its approach had so enraptured us became a very shadow in possession. I was now in exactly the same state of depression and exhaustion as before the application of the chemical remedy, and entreated her to have recourse to it a second time. She said it would be very injurious to me, and might perhaps cause my death. As I was now ready to dress, on parting she cautioned me to be discreet, and to come and see her again in three days- which I promised to do.

In obedience to the directions of Madame Dinville, I withdrew from her chamber as secretly as possible, and was somewhat startled when I met Susan in an antechamber. My conscience reproached me for my infidelity towards her, and I was half afraid that she knew what I had been at with her godmother. She took my hand without speaking, and I was so confused that I could not look her in the face for some moments, and when I did it was to see her eyes glistening with tears -a sight that pierced me to the heart. In a moment she had recovered the empire of my affections, which Madame had for a time deprived her of. I could never have imagined it possible that I should feel myself so utterly absorbed in love for her.

I found that she was jealous of my attentions to another, and I could not convince her that her suspicions were unfounded. She wanted me to promise that I would not visit Madame Dinville any more, and then I told her that I had received an invitation for the third day following, which I could not well avoid accepting.

“If that be the ease,” said she, “come by all means, and I will pretend to be ill, that you may pass the whole day with me in my chamber; but you have not yet seen it; come with me now, I will show it you.”

As I followed her, a most disagreeable anticipation of the misfortune about to befall me was harrowing up my very soul.

“Here,” said she, opening the door of a sweet little chamber, “this is my room; and I fancy you will have no objection to spending the evening with me.”

“O my Susan how delicious it will be! What happiness you promise me!”

“O it will be so sweet to give ourselves up entirely to love-but it strikes me that you view the matter with great indifference, if you can wait three days so easily?”

I felt the force of this reproach, and at the same time my own incapability of proving it to be unjust. How bitterly I cursed the pleasures enjoyed with Madame Dinville! “Here am I alone with Susan,” I exclaimed mentally, “without the power to prove how much I love her.” In the midst of my distress, I recollected that the lady had given me some lozenges, and I supposed they were intended to produce the same effect as the liquor she had used to invigorate me. Hoping they would be as prompt in their operation, I swallowed several of them. But all my hopes were in vain; however, I laid Susan down on the bed and placed myself upon her-but friction, frigging, and every means of excitement still left me in the same state of utter impotence: I could give her nothing but my finger. A deathlike coldness had chilled my whole frame. Susan sighed at seeing my condition, and I cursed the fatal present of Madame Dinville; for I imagined that she had foreseen what was likely to happen and had given me the lozenges to complete my exhaustion. I was just going to confess my impotence to Susan, when I was helped out of my dilemma in a totally unexpected manner; for the bedcurtains were suddenly thrown back by some invisible hand, which also inflicted a most tremendous slap on my naked posteriors. I was too frightened to scream-but I jumped up and ran off as hastily as I could, leaving poor Susan to face the spectre alone. Had I been cooler in my flight, I should easily have recognized in that devilish apparition the forbidding profile of the Abbe Pilot clad only in shirt and night cap, gesticulating wildly and swearing like a pagan. But the fear which drove every other thought from my mind also gave me wings with which to fly. I left the chateau as speedily as my legs could carry me, and had not ceased trembling when in my bed at the rector's. I slept soundly, but when I awoke in the morning was so weak as to be unable to get up. I was then convinced how necessary it is in even our highest enjoyments, to avoid going to excess. My own fears were soon gone, but I was still very uneasy about Susan.

On the night before the day appointed for my visit to the chateau I felt but little desirous to undergo the exercise that I knew awaited me there, but when I thought of the sorry figure I cut with Susan, the lozenges occurred to my memory, and I immediately ate all that remained. I soon after fell asleep, and was awakened by the violence of the erection which ensued, and I should have verily been afraid the nerves would break, had I not experienced the same when with Madame Dinville. I had nothing but my fist to have recourse to, and was amusing, myself with that poor succedaneum, when I caught a glimpse of some one at the foot of my bed who instantly retired. I was not frightened at this, thinking it might be the abbe of whom I have spoken when describing Miss Nicole. Where can he be going? thought I-to roger the said young lady, no doubt, was my answer. So I resolved he should not go alone, instantly got out of bed, and proceeded to the corridor where I knew the fair one's chamber to be. I found one with the door open, which I entered, and cautiously approached the bed. I heard a breathing, but only of one person. I was not long in determining to take the abbe's place and proceeded forthwith to slip my hands up the lady's thighs and give her a kiss.

“What a time you have made me wait!” said she; “I was just falling asleep; get in directly, pray.”

I accordingly was in bed in a moment, and upon my Venus in another; she received me rather coldly. I was up to this indifference that she imagined she was showing off to her lover, and blessed my stars for the lucky chance of being revenged on one who had so often treated me with contempt. After all the preparatory pawing and kissing, the crisis came on, and I swam in a flood of pleasure. In a few minutes I repeated the dose, to her no small surprise; and could very well have gone a third time, but withheld for prudential reasons. Two discharges are generally sufficient to diminish one's ferocity, and dissipate the illusions of love. Indeed I felt the truth of the last observation, for in passing my hands over the beauties of my nymph, I was astonished at the change that had taken place in a few minutes. Her thighs, which before were smooth, plump, and firm, had become wrinkled, shrunk, and flabby; her shell was nothing but a handful of dry shrivelled skin; her breasts merely two leather bags. But all this would not have prevented me mounting the breach a third time and I was even preparing to do so, when we heard a row in the chamber next us, which I took to be the housekeeper's. On hearing the disturbance my partner exclaimed-“Good heavens! What are they doing to our child? Are they killing her? Go and see!” I did not reply to this, being so much amazed at its purport that I did not know what I was about. While I hesitated, the noise continued, and my bedfellow had recourse to the tinder-box, and when the candle was lighted, I saw my partner was the old housekeeper! I stood petrified at the sight of this phantom, and discovered that I had mistaken the localities. It appeared that the good rector had made an appointment with his housekeeper that night, to work off the superabundance of his carnal humors, and that she, taking me for him, had reproached me for delaying so long; the good priest to avoid all scandal had waited to a late hour, and passing by his niece's chamber and finding the door open, his affection for her had induced him to approach the bed, where he found her in the arms of a man, and, horror-struck at the sight, he gave them both unequivocal proofs of his disapprobation.

The noise became louder and louder, and I feared murder would be the end, but Madame Francoise ran with her candle, and cut off my hopes of escape during the turmoil by double-locking the door. I tried to get out, but could not, so was obliged to wait my fate where I was.

At the moment I was giving way to despair, the wheel of fortune fumed in my favor. The disturbance had much increased at the appearance of Francoise, who, as soon as she beheld the rector, dropped the candlestick, thinking it must be a ghost. I wish I could give this picture as it deserves, but must let a mere sketch suffice. There stood the rector in his shirt, with a greasy cap in his head, his eyes staring, his mouth wide open, striking at the abbe and his niece; while the damsel was burying herself in the bed, and her lover covering himself with the counterpane, and making occasional attempts to put his fist in the parson's face. On the other side was my late bedfellow in her shift, the candle in hand, advancing towards them, just essaying to cry out, but, struck dumb with fear, she falls backwards into a chair.

I guessed from the sudden silence that ensued that the abbe, fearing an ecktircissement, had run away and was pursued by the rector. In a moment I heard the door of the chamber where. 1 was imprisoned opened, and shut again directly. The person made straight for the bed and got in; I concluded it must be Francoise, who would soon be joined by her master. However everything had become very quiet, and I could hear the occupant of the bed sobbing and sighing most pitifully. This was rather perplexing, and I could not tell what to make of it; but after a few moments' consideration I came to the conclusion that it was foolish to lose a chance of rendering the unknown one a service by consoling her grief-burdened spirit. I accordingly went up to the bed with all imaginable caution, and introduced myself as politely as I could; but not with sufficient address to prevent an exclamation of terror, which was instantly stifled for fear of its being heard by others. I could not suppose the person to be other than the old lady, and was somewhat surprised when I found she kept retreating as far as possible from me. I deemed that the best way of putting an end to all this nonsense would be to explain my meaning, which I did by thrusting my hand up between her thighs, and was astonished at finding them as firm and velvety as one could wish. My hand did not stay on the passage, but advanced to focus of pleasures, and there I found everything more like a young girl than an old hag of sixty. My hand did not lie idle, but stirred up the fire of excitement, so that my fair one soon ceased to sigh, and began to draw closer to me and I to her. At last I mounted and effected an entrance.

“Ah, my dear abbe,” said she, “how came you here? I fear my love will cost me dear!”

Though rather touched by this speech, our transports soon redoubled, and our sighs mingled together, as we pressed each other more closely. When the crisis was over, I recollected the words that I have given above, and was lost in conjectures as to what connection the old lady and the abbe could have. My conjectures were not of long duration, for I became eager to improve the time and snatch another morsel. When I put my hand on her thighs, I found them as charming to the touch as before, which sufficed to convince me that Nicole was my bedfellow, instead of the old housekeeper. I therefore determined to do my best.

“My dear Nicole,” said I, kissing her tenderly and counterfeiting the voice of the abbe as well as I could; “what are you thinking about? Can you give way to sorrow now a happy chance has favoured us with this unexpected opportunity of gratifying our mutual passion? Let us to business, and drown sorrow in the overflowings of our love!”

“I am glad to hear you talk so,” said she; “for your troubles made mine doubly heavy. Yes! let us profit by this sole means of comfort that remains to us. Let what will happen,” said she, taking my tool in her hand, “so long as I possess this treasure, I do not fear even death itself. Do not be uneasy at the thought of our being interrupted; I have locked the door, so that no one can come in without breaking it open.”

I was glad she had taken this precaution, and inspired by love I caressed her with increasing vehemence. My instrument under the tutelage of her fingers had assumed an extraordinary thickness, which quite enchanted my lady.

“Quick!” said I, “put it into your delicious receptacle, or I must…”

She appeared to be in no hurry, but continued to finger it, as if amazed at its size, which she fancied was produced by her caresses. I wanted to put it in myself, but she begged me to wait for it to become both bigger and longer, asking me if it was not larger than ever she had felt it before. From this I inferred that her abbe was not so well provided as myself; I could have laughed at her question, had I not been better occupied. “Oh, how delightful it will be,” said she, as she put things in train. “Push, my dear, push!” I did not need this advice; I gave way to my fury, and was soon lost in the ecstasy of love, which she appeared to share with me. However, our transports betrayed us; the bedstead was close to the partition, and we never imagined that Francoise was in the next room; this unluckily was the case, and our thoughtless eagerness made the bedposts rattle against the partition, which told her but too plainly what was going on in our chamber. The old jade ran to the door as quickly as she could, and finding it locked, she began calling out for Nicole at the top of her voice. We were greatly alarmed at this, and stopped short in our proceedings, but when the old woman became quiet, our prudence soon forsook us. Too much excited to remain long in such disagreeable inaction, we recommenced our work; it is true that we were as still as we could possibly manage, but our tormentor was evidently on the watch, and had no difficulty in explaining the stifled sounds that reached her ear. She began again to call out to Nicole, thumping the partition, and ordering her to give over that kind of amusement. This disturbed us, but not so much as you might suppose; for as I Saw we were discovered, I said to Nicole that we had no occasion to interrupt our pleasures, in which she silently acquiesced; and we accordingly went to work as hard as we could, taking no notice whatever of the incessant thundering kept up by Francoise against the wainscot. I do verily believe that the singular circumstances in which we were placed considerably heightened the pleasure that we mutually experienced. But it was now high tune for me to retire to my own bed-so after telling my fair partner to whom she was indebted for so vigorous a thumping, I left her, and retired to my apartment. When I had got into bed I could not sleep at first for thinking of the singular adventures of the night, and what would be the consequences of them in the morning. However my fatigue ultimately overcame me, and I slept till nearly noon. When I awoke, I was startled at seeing Annette at the bedfoot, apparently waiting for me to awake.

“Come, my lad,” said she; “you had better get up; Father Polycarp is going, and he means you to accompany him.”

On hearing this, I jumped out of bed, dressed myself in a few moments, and in an hour's time was riding on the crupper behind the reverend Father, on the way to his convent.

Beauregard de Farniente

The Adventures of Father Silas